Table 1 Potential applications of UCD in implementation science

Evidence-based practice (the thread)

Interventions with demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness including programs, actions, processes, policies, and guidelines [3]

• Selecting EBPs that are appropriate for users and their context (e.g., by leveraging UCD measures of usability such as the System Usability Scale [29])

• Redesigning EBPs to better fit users and their context (e.g., conducting usability test or heuristic evaluation to identify an EBP’s design limitations)

Context (the fabric)

Set of characteristics and circumstances that consist of active and unique factors, within which the implementation is embedded including the following:

• Inner (i.e., intra-organizational) context [30]

• Outer (i.e., extra-organizational) context [30]

• Assessing context (e.g., conducting ethnography or developing user experience models)

• Preparing context to promote receptivity to EBP (e.g., using workflow mapping to modify the workflow to accommodate EBP implementation)

Implementation strategies (the needle)

Methods or techniques used to enhance the adoption, implementation, and sustainability of an EBP [12]

• Anticipating needed implementation strategies based on context assessment (e.g., conducting design workshops to identify areas where fit between EBP and context is low and problem-solving accordingly)

• Selecting strategies that are appropriate given EBP and context (e.g., using the Cognitive Walkthrough for Implementation Strategies [31] to assess strategy usability)

• Tailoring/designing strategies for EBP and context (e.g., by conducting iterative co-creation sessions with users)