University at Buffalo (UB)
The State University
of New York
University at Buffalo (UB)
School of Social Work
Continuing Education
Give
Apply

Implementation Science in Social Work

Our DSW program focuses on using implementation science to advance social work practice. 

What is implementation science?

Implementation science focuses on the thoughtful and strategic process of implementing an intervention. The emphasis is on evaluating both the intervention itself and the implementation of intervention. This includes assessing the strategies used to increase the uptake and use of the intervention.  

Why is implementation science important in social work?

This is an exciting time to think about using implementation science in social work practice! There are a multitude of interventions that are effective in detecting, preventing, and treating conditions that affect the health and well-being of those served by social workers. However, we also have gaps between what we know from science works and what social workers actually do in practice. These gaps have contributed to racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and other disparities in health and health-related outcomes.  By using implementation science we can help reduce racial and ethnic disparities in mental health care in the United States and improve the lives of those we serve. 

What are some examples of how implementation science is used in practice?

A great example is the Expanding Worlds: Assessing Strategies to Implementing a Virtual Reality Program in Respite Care project.

  • Implementation science was used to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to implementing a virtual reality (VR) intervention within a volunteer respite program The VR intervention is being delivered by staff and volunteers to caregivers of community-dwelling persons living with dementia receiving respite services to help reduce social isolation and loneliness.
  • Focus groups and surveys were completed with staff and volunteers to assess their thoughts and concerns about the VR program implementation.  Some of the barriers they identified through this process included lack of VR knowledge and skills, concerns about safety, and the need to strengthen buy-in from staff.
  • Evidence-based implementation strategies were selected and tailored to help support effective uptake and behavior change among staff and volunteers. These strategies included training and shadowing opportunities, identifying champions, and developing a trauma-informed approach manual.
  • Implementation outcomes or how well our staff and volunteers implemented the intervention were assessed, as well as outcomes related to whether the VR intervention lessened social isolation and loneliness among caregivers.

Another example involves the use of the Components for Enhancing Clinical Engagement and Reducing Trauma (CE-CERT) model to help reduce compassion fatigue and burnout among trauma therapists and supervisors in a child welfare setting.

  • Surveys were completed by supervisors and identified barriers to using CE-CERT in a community-based agency. These included a lack of knowledge, the need for supervisory support, and the need for guidance with using CE-CERT.
  • Evidence-based strategies were selected and included reflective supervision, ongoing consultation, peer support, the use of champions, and ongoing training.
  • Implementation outcomes in relation to how well the identified strategies addressed the barriers identified by the supervisors were assessed. In addition, intervention outcomes pertaining to whether the CE-CERT intervention had an impact on compassion fatigue and burnout among trauma therapists were evaluated.

Additional Resources

Want to learn more about implementation science?