D2A Research Adoption Support Center (RASC)

Despite unprecedented federal investment to address the US opioid epidemic, successful translation of research knowledge and evidence-based interventions has been challenging at best. Bringing dissemination and implementation (D&I) science to bear is essential to bending the trajectory of overdose deaths and effectively treating opioid use disorder. Although many efforts have sought to address the opioid epidemic, advanced D&I studies of implementation and sustainment strategies have not been optimized. The HEAL Data2Action (HD2A) Program presents a pivotal opportunity to support requests for applications (RFAs) for 10- 12 innovation projects and 3 centers of scientific and technical expertise, which will result in a coordinated effort to synthesize the real-world application of data to guide and monitor improvements in service delivery to prevent or treat opioid use disorder and pain. One of the three needed HD2A centers is a Research Adoption Support Center (RASC), which is proposed in this application to leverage D&I science to improve scalability and sustainment. The RASC’s primary purpose is to support the 10-12 innovation projects in the selection of evidence-based practices and the strategies to implement them, thus reducing service delivery gaps in substance use prevention and treatment as well as in pain management. The proposed RASC will coordinate closely with the other 2 HD2A centers, engage and listen to key stakeholders, conduct rapid research projects addressing barriers to adoption, and provide implementation science expertise. The RASC MPI leadership unites four experienced D&I experts (McGovern – Stanford University; S. Becker -Brown University; W. Becker -Yale University; Brown – Northwestern University) and their multidisciplinary, multi-institutional teams to lead four synergistic, interrelated Cores: Administrative, Substance Use Disorder Implementation, Pain Implementation, and Research & Evaluation. The Overall Aims of RASC are: Specific Aim 1: To ASSESS the innovation projects on the 5 key D&I dimensions, and in year one, conduct a rapid formative research project focused on policy and financing context analysis. Specific Aim 2: To ASSIST the innovation projects by using information from systematic key dimension assessment to: a) generate shared enthusiasm to “make the project more D&I”; b) create a dashboard for each project and offer on demand technical assistance with RASC experts; c) organize a high-fidelity learning collaborative among project teams and RASC core faculty; and d) design and maintain online D&I tools. Specific Aim 3: To ADVANCE the exponential impact of the HD2A projects beyond singular or even cumulative findings by: a) combining and/or harmonizing D&I data across projects for greater comparability, generalizability, and modeling; b) synergizing influence via expanding networks of collaborations, conferences, publications, and online resources; and c) leveraging research and stakeholder social capital for scientifically informed policies and financing that ensure sustainable and equitable access to proven interventions.