Abstract: Implementation science (IS) plays an increasingly important role in the advancement of HIV research. Inherently multidisciplinary, IS recognizes that healthcare systems often struggle to provide high quality services with limited resources and offers a growing number of evidence-based strategies for incorporating research investments in order to improve healthcare value and public health. Moving substantial investments in HIV research into practice in rapid, rigorous, and relevant ways is critical. The UCLA Rapid, Rigorous, Relevant Implementation Science Hub (UCLA 3R Hub) will provide ISC3I with IS expertise and, in coordination with the other Hubs, meet the demand for effective and efficient ways to translate HIV research into practice. The unique goal of the Hub is to provide leadership and support for rapid, rigorous, and relevant (3R) HIV-related implementation research emphasizing pragmatic study designs and methods that address health equity and produce sustainable solutions. We will reach this goal by accomplishing the following Specific Aims: 1) provide consultation, coaching, and technical assistance to Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grantees, with a focus on cutting-edge 3R content, methods, strategies, models, theories, and frameworks; 2) accelerate HIV research impacts by a) collaborating with ISC3I, the other Implementation Hubs, and IS consortia and centers and b) identifying resources and opportunities for advancing evidence-based interventions through the implementation pipeline; 3) provide and promote a platform for multidisciplinary collaborations in support of developing HIV- related implementation research and supporting the next generation of diverse IS investigators; and 4) conduct a cross-Hub multisite pilot implementation research project. EHE awardees assigned to the UCLA 3R Hub will have access to individualized consultation, coaching, and technical assistance sessions; timely roundtable feedback; IS methods workshops; expert discussion sessions; and access to lectures and resources that will advance the application of IS concepts, theories, frameworks, and methods. Additionally, we will support ISC3I’s efforts to advance shared measures and frameworks across the projects and in the online community of practice platform. The UCLA 3R Hub team has a strong history of and urgent commitment to using a health equity lens and engaging and mentoring diverse investigators, including racial/ethnic and sexual/gender minorities. Collectively, these activities and efforts will promote the research priorities of the EHE, thereby enhancing HIV research and its impacts and applications in clinical care and public health more broadly.

Project Number: 3P30MH058107-25S2

https://reporter.nih.gov/search/QMYEpQ2evEqjy1WuiYUqSQ/project-details/10420360

Contact PI/ Project Leader

SHOPTAW, STEVEN J, PROFESSOR (SShoptaw@mednet.ucla.edu)

HAMILTON, ALISON B

Organization