Spotlight on Program Champions: Perspectives, Insights and Impact Stories Gained from a Qualitative Research Study*
The research-practice gap in cancer care is well documented. The importance of Program Champions as a part of well-designed dissemination and implementation strategies is becoming increasingly recognized. Implementation frameworks, such as the Intervention Mapping framework, include a Program Champion as a key strategy. Well-trained and well-placed Program Champions are consistently found to be important positive influences on implementation effectiveness. While the inclusion of Program Champions is found in many Evidence-Based Program (EBP) implementation publications and summary reports, there is little information available on what type of person can best serve as an effective Program Champion, key roles they can play, and what training and materials they need to be most effective in their roles.
The Consortium for Cancer Implementation Science (CCIS) seeks to advance the implementation science agenda in cancer control. In the 2021 CCIS annual meeting, the Community Participation in Implementation Science action group prioritized the identification and activation of the right champions to result in meaningful and successful outcomes. Several proposals to address this priority, including this one, were selected for funding by the CCIS to develop a public good with the intent to advance the implementation science agenda in cancer care.
This document spotlights effective Program Champions leading the implementation of EBPs across the continuum of cancer care, particularly in community settings that serve vulnerable populations. Specifically, it provides a summary of perspectives and insights gained from a series of 1-on-1 interviews with 15 Program Champions who are recognized as strong contributors to the success of EBP program across the continuum of engagement, particularly in community settings. It also spotlights these Program Champions in a series of Impact Stories. It is our hope that this document can help inform members of the action group and the broader CCIS community as we seek to identify and activate effective Program Champions to lead the implementation of EBPs in cancer control. Additionally, we hope to inspire more researchers to include Program Champions in their EBP implementation strategies, and to provide them with meaningful tools to aid them in effective implementation.
Contributors
Eva A. May, MBA
Danielle Bellows, PT, MHS, DHSc; Daisy Y. Morales-Campos, PhD; Bonny Morris, PhD, MSPH, RN; Ucheoma Nwaozuru, PhD; Aubrey Villalobos, DrPH, MEd
Note
* This public good was developed with funding from a CCIS public goods cycle.