Baumann AA, Adams DR, Baldwin LM, et al. A mapping review and critique of the literature on translation, dissemination, and implementation capacity building initiatives for different audiences. Implement Sci Commun. 2025;6(1):34. doi:10.1186/s43058-025-00717-w
This mapping review assessed the state of capacity-building programs in dissemination and implementation (D&I) science. Researchers reviewed 42 articles published between 2011 and 2024 to understand how these programs are designed, who they target, their duration, whether they focus on health equity, and the competencies they aim to develop. Of the 42 articles, 25 described training development or evaluation, while the rest were conceptual. Eighteen articles (43%) used a guiding theory or framework, though none used the same one. The review identified 20 unique training programs. Most (11 programs, 55%) recruited a mix of participants, including graduate students, researchers, healthcare leaders, and policymakers. Ten programs (50%) were based in the U.S., four (20%) in Canada, four (20%) in other countries (Japan, Kenya, Germany, and the UK), and two (8%) were massive open online courses. Training lengths varied: five (25%) were short (e.g., four 30-minute modules to a 4-week course), four (20%) were medium (up to 9 months), and nine (45%) were long (18 months to 2 years). Six programs (30%) lasted a full 2 years. Only four programs (20%) had a clear health equity focus. The review found 307 unique competencies across 32 articles, though many were vague or undefined. Themes included knowledge, skills, attitudes, equity, collaboration, mentoring, and infrastructure. Only eight articles (21%) discussed different levels of expertise. The study highlights the need for clearer definitions and frameworks in D&I training and urges future programs to be more intentional about what competencies are taught, to whom, and why.