Work

Using the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model in qualitative research: a retrospective analysis of interview and focus group guides

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background Theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) are frequently used to facilitate rigorous qualitative data collection and analysis of context in dissemination and implementation (D&I) science. The Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM), which includes contextual determinants of Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) dimensions, is one of the most widely used TMFs. Yet, missing from the literature is an assessment of how PRISM can inform the collection of qualitative data across implementation phases (i.e., pre-implementation, implementation, and post-implementation). The purpose of this study was to curate a collection of PRISM-informed qualitative data collection guides and assess how questions relate to PRISM domains and RE-AIM dimensions. Methods In this retrospective observational study, exemplar interview and focus group guides were collected from a group of D&I science experts to assess how PRISM constructs were operationalized. All guides were compiled into a database, and each question and sub-question were labelled with one or more relevant PRISM domains and RE-AIM dimensions. We calculated descriptive characteristics of all interview guides included in the database. The frequency of each PRISM domain was calculated across all interview guides, by implementation phase and by participant role. Results Guides (n=31) were collected from 13 research studies and were primarily used in individual interviews (n=30) and across pre-implementation (n=8), implementation (n=8), and post-implementation (n=15) phases. Research settings included the Veterans Health Administration (n=16), community health settings (n=10), schools (n=4), and an academic health center (n=1). Questions and sub-questions were more commonly labelled with PRISM domains (n=667) than RE-AIM dimensions (n=303). The Perspectives of Implementers (n=201), Perspectives of Recipients (n=152) and Implementation and Sustainability Infrastructure (n=103) were the most frequently used PRISM domains and Implementation (n=113) was the most frequent RE-AIM dimension. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that PRISM has valuable applications in qualitative data collection with recipients and implementers across all implementation phases and highlights how PRISM can be adapted for different topics and settings. The database of qualitative guides is publicly available and can be used as a resource for D&I investigators using PRISM to guide their qualitative contextual assessment.

Source: Implementation Science Communications

DOI: 10.1186/s43058-026-01074-y