Implementation Strategies Applied in Communities Matching Process (ISAC Match): Expanded Guidance and Case Study

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Community Health Interventions
• Public Health Program Planning

Background:

• Limited guidance exists for selecting and tailoring implementation strategies in non-clinical community settings.
• The Implementation Strategies Applied in Communities (ISAC) compilation offers a pragmatic matching process (ISAC Match).
• This study elaborates on the ISAC Match process with additional detail and a case study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To expand on the ISAC Match process by providing detailed approaches for its four steps.
• To illustrate the application of ISAC Match using a case study within a state Cooperative Extension System.
• To ensure health equity considerations are integrated into the selection and tailoring of implementation strategies.

Main Methods:

• The ISAC Match process involves four steps: contextual inquiry, identifying existing strategies, selecting strategies using guidance tools, and tailoring strategies.
• The process is designed for integrated research-practice partnerships or similar models.
• Health equity considerations are integrated throughout the four steps.

Main Results:

• The study applied the four-step ISAC Match process to select and tailor strategies for Montana State University Extension Agents.
• The goal was to increase adoption of built environment approaches that promote physical activity.
• The case study demonstrated a practical application of the ISAC Match process in a community setting.

Conclusions:

• The ISAC Match process was developed due to a lack of rapid, relevant methods for community settings.
• Further research is needed to evaluate the efficiency and impact of ISAC Match compared to other processes.
• The process aims to overcome barriers and capitalize on facilitators for evidence-based intervention implementation in communities.