Featured Resource: Guide to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research [cfirguide.org]
By Dr. Jonathan A. Caballero, Implementation Support Consultant
4-min read
The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) is a highly used framework that helps researchers and practitioners understand complex factors that influence the implementation and sustainability of implementation projects. The first version was published in 2009 and was updated in 2022 to integrate the feedback of its users (we have recently created an adapted figure – you are welcome to use it in your own work!).
The CFIRguide.org website provides an accessible introduction to the CFIR. It includes an overview of its key constructs, and a series of tools and recommendations on how to use it in implementation practice, including extensive resources for evaluating implementation initiatives.
Here, we’ll share how its sections can help you to support change-making initiatives.
CFIR: Constructs
This section provides descriptions of the framework construct, neatly organized by domains, and provides references and relevant guidelines for qualitative and quantitative evaluations for each construct.
Note that as of March 2023, when we are writing this post, the CFIR guide is being updated to reflect the revised constructs from its 2022 iteration. The information about the previous iteration of the CFIR is still accessible and ready to be explored.
CFIR: Evaluation Design
The CFIR is often used to guide implementation evaluations. This section provides, tools, and guides that can help you plan for data collection, analysis, and interpretation. As well as pointers to research articles and relevant frameworks that can help you dig deeper into the topic.
CFIR: Strategy Design
While the use of the CFIR to plan for implementation is not as widespread as its use for evaluation, using it to critically think about your initiative and the context where it occurs can be incredibly useful. In fact, it is probably the main way in which we recommend using it at TCI.
CFIR: Articles and Highlights
Often, it is useful to see how others have used a framework to understand better how to use it in our own implementation context. This section contains a curated list of articles and blog summaries of the use of the CFIR, as well as an easy way to query PubMed and Google Scholar for similar publications.
CFIR: Tools
This section provides a straightforward way to locate some of the resources introduced in the other sections, as well as access to additional tools, guides, templates and other resources.
For example, it includes an interview guide tool that can be used to plan how to plan interviews that explore the different CFIR constructs for evaluation purposes and tailor it to your implementation context.
The list of resources is quite extensive, so we invite you to explore it. It ranges from conceptual introductions to the basics of implementation science, listservs, and training resources on implementation.
We invite you to explore CFIRguide.org and to think deeply about how you can use it to advance your implementation goals!
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