Fontaine Guillaume, Mooney Meagan, Porat-Dahlerbruch Joshua, Cahir Katherine, Ellen Moriah, Spinewine Anne, Taylor Natalie, Laritz Rachael, Bourbeau-Allard Ève, Grimshaw Jeremy M
Ingram School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, 680 Rue Sherbrooke O #1800, Montréal, QC, H3A 2M7, Canada.
Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Implement Sci. 2025 May 28;20(1):24. doi: 10.1186/s13012-025-01436-5.
Theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) are central to implementation practice and research. Selecting one or more TMF(s) for a project remains challenging due to numerous options and limited guidance. This study aimed to (1) identify and categorize the reported purposes and attributes of TMFs, as well as the practical considerations of TMF users, and (2) synthesize these findings into a meta-framework that supports implementation practitioners and researchers in selecting TMFs.
A scoping review was conducted using Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Medline, Embase, and CINAHL were searched to identify articles on the selection of TMFs. Articles were selected and data extracted using Covidence. Inductive thematic analysis was used to refine and categorize purposes, attributes and practical considerations. The meta-framework was developed by mapping these categories onto a sequential process, pilot-testing through case studies, and iteratively refining it based on team feedback.
Of 9,276 records, 43 articles (2005-2024) were included. Most articles reported TMF purposes (41 articles), followed by attributes (30) and practical considerations (13). Seven distinct purposes were identified: (1) enhancing conceptual clarity, (2) anticipating change and guiding inquiry, (3) guiding the implementation process, (4) guiding identification of determinants, (5) guiding design and adaptation of strategies, (6) guiding evaluation and causal explanation, and (7) guiding interpretation and dissemination. Additionally, 24 TMF attributes were grouped into five domains: clarity and structure, scientific strength and evidence, applicability and usability, equity and sociocultural responsiveness, and system and partner integration. Ten practical considerations were grouped into three domains: team expertise and readiness, resource availability, and project fit. These findings informed the development of the Systematic Evaluation and Selection of Implementation Science Theories, Models and Frameworks (SELECT-IT) meta-framework, comprising four steps: (1) determine the purpose(s) of using TMF(s); (2) identify potential TMFs; (3) evaluate short-listed TMFs against attributes; and (4) assess practical considerations of using TMF(s) within the project context. A worked example and two user-friendly worksheets illustrate its utility.
This study advances understanding of the selection of implementation science TMFs by distinguishing inherent TMF attributes from practical considerations. The SELECT-IT meta-framework offers a structured, context-sensitive approach for selecting appropriate TMFs. Future research should evaluate its validity and utility across diverse contexts.
理论、模型和框架（TMFs）是实施实践和研究的核心。由于有众多选择且指导有限，为项目选择一个或多个TMF仍然具有挑战性。本研究旨在：（1）识别并分类所报告的TMF的目的、属性以及TMF使用者的实际考量因素；（2）将这些发现综合成一个元框架，以支持实施从业者和研究人员选择TMF。
按照乔安娜·布里格斯研究所的指南进行了一项范围综述。检索了Medline、Embase和CINAHL以识别关于TMF选择的文章。使用Covidence筛选文章并提取数据。采用归纳主题分析来完善并分类目的、属性和实际考量因素。通过将这些类别映射到一个连续过程来开发元框架，通过案例研究进行试点测试，并根据团队反馈进行迭代完善。
在检索到的9276条记录中，纳入了43篇文章（2005 - 2024年）。大多数文章报告了TMF的目的（41篇），其次是属性（30篇）和实际考量因素（13篇）。确定了七个不同的目的：（1）提高概念清晰度；（2）预测变化并指导探究；（3）指导实施过程；（4）指导确定决定因素；（5）指导策略的设计和调整；（6）指导评估和因果解释；（7）指导解释和传播。此外，24个TMF属性被归为五个领域：清晰度和结构、科学强度和证据、适用性和可用性、公平性和社会文化响应性以及系统和伙伴整合。十个实际考量因素被归为三个领域：团队专业知识和准备情况、资源可用性以及项目契合度。这些发现为实施科学理论、模型和框架的系统评价与选择（SELECT - IT）元框架的开发提供了依据，该元框架包括四个步骤：（1）确定使用TMF的目的；（2）识别潜在的TMF；（3）根据属性评估入围的TMF；（4）在项目背景下评估使用TMF的实际考量因素。一个实例和两个用户友好型工作表说明了它的实用性。
本研究通过区分TMF的固有属性和实际考量因素，推进了对实施科学TMF选择的理解。SELECT - IT元框架为选择合适的TMF提供了一种结构化的、因地制宜的方法。未来的研究应评估其在不同背景下的有效性和实用性。
