Conceptual framework of equity-focused implementation research for health programs (EquIR). — TEI-tagged view

J. Eslava-SchmalbachpersName, N. Garzón-OrjuelapersName, V. EliaspersName, L. ReveizpersName, N. TranpersName, E. V. LangloispersName (2019date). “Conceptual framework of equity-focused implementation research for health programs (EquIR)..” International Journal for Equity in Healthtitle·j.

Object of study — how equity can be built into implementation researchterm·mth on health programs, policies and systems

Research question — what an equity-based framework for implementation researchterm of health programs would look like

Contribution — EquIRterm, a six-step conceptual framework and a set of equity-focused implementation outcomesterm·key

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Conceptual framework of equity-focused implementation researchterm·mth for health programs (EquIRterm).

Abstract Implementation researchterm·mth isterm·mth increasingly used to identify common implementation problems and key barriers and facilitators influencing efficient access to health interventions.

To develop and propose an equity-based framework for Implementation Researchterm (EquIRterm) of health programs, policies and systems.

A systematic search of models and conceptual frameworks involving equity in the implementation of health programs, policies and systems was conducted in Medline (PubMed), Embase, LILACS, Scopus and grey literature. Key characteristics of models and conceptual frameworks were summarized. We identified key aspects of equity in the context of seven Latin American countries-focused health programs We gathered information related to the awareness of inequalities in health policy, systems and programs, the potential negative impact of increasing inequalities in disadvantaged populationsterm·key, and the strategies used to reduce them.

A conceptual framework of EquIRterm was developed. It includes elements of equity-focused implementation researchterm·mth, but it also links the population health status before and after the implementation, including relevant aspects of health equityterm·key before, during and after the implementation. Additionally, health sectors were included, linked with social determinants of healthterm·key through the “health in all policies” proposal affecting universal health and the potential impact of the public health and public policies.

EquIRterm isterm·mth a conceptual framework that isterm·mth proposed for use by decision makers and researchers during the implementation of programs, policies or health interventions, with a focus on equity, which aims to reduce or prevent the increase of existing inequalities during implementation.

Background What isterm·mth implementation scienceterm·mth and implementation researchterm·mth?

Implementation isterm·mth “ the process of putting to use or integrating new practices within a setting ” [ 1 ] and includes within its considerations relevant aspects such as the communities where it isterm·mth thought to be carried out, the barriers and facilitators for it, the specific needs of the population, which differ for each intervention, for each type of country and region within each country [ 2 – 5 ]. This makes it very difficult to study it scientifically, which has motivated the progress of Implementation Scienceterm·mth (ISterm·mth) [ 3 , 6 ], which isterm·mth defined as “ the systematic study of how to design and evaluate a set of activities to facilitate successful uptake of an evidence-based health intervention ” [ 7 ].

In addition, the implementation isterm·mth different for preventive and curative services, which in many countries are carried out by different funding sources and participants, which makes the implementation and systematic evaluation of it even more complex [ 8 ]. The attitude of the population also varies, which generates inequalities in health and in general, because of the different levels of the social determinants (education, occupation, place of residence, socioeconomical status, race / ethnicity, etc.) [ 9 – 12 ] which also impact the results of any type of implementation that does not consider or cannot act on the determinants. As a result of all the above, the need arises to make a systematic evaluation of the implementation using the tools of the ISterm·mth.

Implementation Researchterm·mth (IRterm·mth) covers the systematic use of the scientific method for the ISterm·mth and can be defined as research that “ identifies common implementation problems and main determinants which hinder effective access to interventions; develops and tests practical solutions to these problems that are either specific to particular health systems and environments, or that address a problem common to several countries in a region; and determines the best way of introducing these practical solutions into the health system and facilitates their full scale implementation, evaluation and modification as required ” [ 13 ]. IRterm·mth isterm·mth, in other words, a scientific approach for implementing and assessing implementation of health policies, programs or interventions on hierarchy-embedded implementation outcomesterm·key, ranging from process outcomes, through implementation outcomesterm·key, to population health outcomes [ 14 ].

Why isterm·mth IRterm·mth research different in general?

Even when IRterm·mth uses the available tools of the scientific method, its objective of study isterm·mth the implementation of health policies, programs or interventions, which makes it different from classical research that focuses on finding the effect of such policies, programs or interventions, without considering all the aspects that affect this effect during implementation [ 14 ]. With this method, IRterm·mth evaluates the effect of such policies, programs or interventions in the community after implementation, finding scientific evidence on the real impact of implementation, based on short, medium or long-term indicators [ 13 , 14 ]. It isterm·mth evident that there isterm·mth still a gap in the implementation of highly effective strategies in controlled studies, which fail to demonstrate such effectiveness after their implementation [ 15 – 17 ], and this gap isterm·mth even greater in the evaluation of the impact of these interventions on the increase or decrease of existing inequalities during implementation. IRterm·mth offers the possibility of evaluating this effect during implementation, and in the case of this proposal, equity-focused IRterm·mth offers the possibility of intervening and evaluating the effect on equity with the IRterm·mth [ 11 , 18 ].

Several frameworks have been used in implementation sciencesterm·mth, including the Quality Implementation Framework [ 19 ], the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Researchterm (CFIRterm) [ 15 ] and Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARISH) [ 20 ]. The CFIRterm was proposed to be used for evaluating impact of health equityterm·key research during the phase of exploring the underlying mechanism of disparities and during the phase of developing and evaluating interventions to reduce disparities [ 15 , 21 ]. However, these IRterm·mth frameworks do not include explicit health equityterm·key considerations during the whole implementation process, and do not help determine whether the implementation could positively or negatively affect avoidable and unjust inequalities in health [ 22 ]. At the time Braveman had proposed a conceptual framework for monitoring equity in health and healthcare, with 8 steps to follow, in which the last step was responsible for developing a strategic plan for implementation, monitoring and research, taking into account the political and technical obstacles, based on inequities or inequalities previously found, but without explicitly including the steps to be included during the implementation to improve or not increase said inequities [ 23 ]. The focus of the monitoring was based more on the documentation and monitoring of inequalities than on implementation [ 23 ].

Since 2014, the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (AHPSR), an international partnership hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), has worked to facilitate the implementation process of programs, policies or health interventions, using evaluation research tools embedded in the implementation process [ 24 ]. This process focuses on embedding research within existing processes in order to shine light on context-specific factors related to real world health program, policy and system decisions – including implementation of health interventions - identified by people working within health systems. Implementation researchterm·mth isterm·mth, in this case, an approach that could diminish the negative impact of implementing new interventions on health inequalitiesterm·dom (differences in health among individuals or groups) or health inequitiesterm·dom (differences in health, that are avoidable, unjust and unneeded) [ 9 , 25 ]; or it could even be used to diminish existing inequalities or inequities identified in a population, with the implementation of new technologies, for instance.

To guide future research and practice, there isterm·mth a need to develop an equity-based framework for implementation researchterm of health programs, polices and systems that could be used to improve evidence-informed implementation processes. The aim of this study isterm·mth to develop and propose an equity-based framework for Implementation Researchterm (EquIRterm) of health programs, policies and systems.

Methods This proposal was developed in three phases: 1. We conducted a systematic review of the literature (published previously [ 26 ]) to identify conceptual frameworks or models that incorporate aspects of health equityterm·key into implementation researchterm·mth in Medline (PubMed), Embase, LILACS (1965–2016), and Scopus (1998–2016) databases and grey literature. The search strategy was composed of words related to “implementation” (implement* OR operations OR delive* OR implementation scienceterm·mth OR (translational AND (science OR research OR Medical Research)) OR quality improvement OR task shifting OR policy OR Implementation Researchterm·mth) and Equity in health (Health equityterm·key OR health inequ* OR health disparit* OR vulnerable population OR advantaged population OR disadvantaged populationterm·key). The search was not limited by language and there were no exclusion criteria. All related titles were included after eliminating duplicates. Three independent reviewers rated the non-relevant articles and categorized the articles.if they met the following criteria: implementation researchterm·mth, the science of implementation, and health equityterm·key. The data extraction form included also categories of health equityterm·key, implementation researchterm·mth, and kind of models or frameworks. We did not evaluate the quality of articles describing models and frameworks, as these were descriptive reports. Further details of the methodology for this systematic review have been published elsewhere [ 26 ].

2. We conducted a stakeholder’s analysis based on the work conducted by the Pan American Health Organization and the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research). Since 2014, the two organizations have developed a country-focused program to facilitate improvements in program, policy and system implementation through research embedded within existing processes.

The stakeholder analysis involved decision-makers and researchers of seven health programs that were receiving funding and support for conducting an implementation researchterm·mth study, during 2016–17. These stakeholders were selected following a call for the improving Program Implementation through Embedded Research (iPIER), throughout all Latin American countries, where aspects related to the disadvantaged populationterm·key were included in the application. The winners of that call were those who formed part of this process and were made up of researchers and decision makers (local policy makers) of the region where the program implementation would be made. Henceforth we will call them “implementers”. We gathered information related with to the awareness of inequalities in health policy, systems and programs, the potential negative impact of increasing inequalities in disadvantaged populationsterm·key, and the strategies used to reduce them. For example, implementers were asked key questions related to health equityterm·key such as: “Who isterm·mth your health program targeted at?” and “during program implementation, have you monitored the effect of any disadvantaged group or others population?”. This was aimed at identifying the inclusion of equity issues in implementation researchterm·mth endeavors.

During a follow-up period, implementers were accompanied by a group of mentors who helped with the work of conducting the research under the framework of implementation researchterm·mth, selecting options to improve the program, or policy and planning its implementation. Protocols were critically reviewed under the equity perspective, and a framework proposal was discussed in-person with each one of the final seven groups of implementers during a workshop meeting. Lessons learned during the whole process were used to improve the framework according to the experience and knowledge of the implementers. The suggestions mentioned by the previous groups were included in the global analysis by the following groups for their consideration, and after they were ratified, they were included in the definitive framework. All participants are included in the acknowledgments section.

3. Finally, the implementation researchterm·mth group, and health equityterm·key experts used the findings from the systematic review and the experience of the country teams to build a framework called the Equity-Based Framework for Implementation Researchterm (EquIRterm). Face-validity of the framework was assessed by key experts in the field, including through interviews with stakeholders from AHSPR, and PAHO, as well as decision-makers and researchers involved in the health programs, during the workshops, as mentioned in Phase 2. This framework isterm·mth intended to be used to support the application of an equity-lens to implementation researchterm·mth proposals, and to facilitate the implementation of equity-focused health interventions and programs. We provided a practical example applied across EquiIR steps, using the “Mi Salud” program implemented in Bolivia within Phase 2.

Results First phase The systematic review of models and approaches involving equity in the implementation of health programs found 19 articles: 12 of them were general models, 5 included topics related to ethnic/racial disparities, and 2 were related to children’s health. Additional issues mentioned in the models included: funding, infrastructure, governance, quality, internal barriers and coverage [ 26 ]. Although there was no consolidated model to explicitly include equity issues in implementation researchterm·mth [ 26 ], the models included essential characteristics that were further incorporated into our framework. Table 1 shows some of the equity issues mentioned separately in those models, including planning, monitoring, designing, implementing and identifying disadvantaged populationterm·key; these are the main topics considered as part of the development of the framework proposed in this paper. Table 1 Relevant issues used for the development of the conceptual framework of Equity-focused Implementation Researchterm·mth for Health Programs (EquIRterm) Models Aspects of equity Relevant issues for the development of the EquIRterm conceptual framework National framework for health sector monitoring, evaluation, and analysis [ 27 ] General • Monitoring and evaluation if implementation: access and availability of services, coverage of interventions and impact (health condition, ability to respond) Impact evaluation framework [ 28 ] General • Program Planning: Effectiveness analysis, equity analysis, health systems analysis, scale-up analysis, and policy analysis Framework for strengthening health systems [ 29 ] General • Program Planning: Benefits for strengthening health systems Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARISH) [ 20 ] Race/Ethnic • Program Planning: A diagnostic and evaluative measure of evidence and context elements. • Design: Determination of the most appropriate facilitation method. Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) [ 30 ] Children’s health • Program Planning: o Research question: description, delivery, development and discovery research. o Identification of disadvantaged group: prioritization of research ideas in terms of answerability, effectiveness, deliverability, maximum potential for disease burden reduction, and effect on equity • Design: facilitated consensus development through measuring collective optimism. Conceptual Model for Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare [ 31 ] Race/Ethnic • Program Planning: make recommendations for future interventions to reduce disparities Implementing health promotion tools in Australian Indigenous primary healthcare [ 32 ] Race/Ethnic • Program Planning: Participation agreements, orientations, and training. • Design: Quality assessments, feedback and action planning. • Implementation tools Large-scale fortification of condiments and seasonings as a public health strategy: equity considerations for implementation [ 33 ] General • Implementation of equity strategies: Enhancing the capabilities of the public sector, improving the performance of implementing agencies, strengthening the capabilities and performance of frontline workers, empowering communities and individuals, and supporting multiple stakeholders engaged in improving health. Equity-focused knowledge translation toolkit [ 34 ] General • Getting ready, starting in the right place and developing a comprehensive strategy. • Building a coalition of partners, determining the current challenge (planning your equity-focused knowledge translation strategy), and clarifying your intended audience Source: Authors, adapted from Eslava-SchmalbachpersName J, Garzón-OrjuelapersName N, EliaspersName V, ReveizpersName L. Equity Incorporation in health in the Implementation Researchterm·mth: a review of conceptual frameworks. Rev. Panam Salud Publica. 2017;41:e126. doi: 10.26633/RPSP.2017.126 [ 26 ] Second phase A summary of the projects involved in the implementation researchterm·mth program isterm·mth shown in Table 2 . Initially, all 7 projects included disadvantaged populationterm·key in their proposals. However, in the course of developing an implementation researchterm·mth project, only two groups maintained an equity focus throughout the entire project and maintained this focus in the development of the research protocol. Table 2 Equity issues in the implementation researchterm·mth proposals Country IRterm·mth theme Equity consideration Disadvantaged Populationterm·key Argentina Before “Health policies implementation unit for the imprisoned population in Buenos Aires.” To evaluate the possibility to implement focused strategies for disadvantaged populationsterm·key inside the prisons. Authors identified transgender individuals as more disadvantaged populationterm·key inside prisons and developed a focused strategy for them. However, it was not explicit in the initial proposal After “Barriers and facilitators of a tuberculosis prevention and control implementation program in imprisoned population, in Buenos Aires” Bolivia Before To identify barriers to “Nutritional Chispitas” in children 6 to 23 months old attending a primary healthcare center in the Andean Health Network Children that do not attend these programs present greater social disadvantages Children 6 to 23 months old of the Andean Health Network including those who go and who do not go to the primary healthcare centers and receive care under “Mi Salud” Program After To identify barriers and facilitators to “Nutritional Chispitas” in children 6 to 23 months old attending primary healthcare centers, and by Mi Salud Program Brazil Before Psychosocial Attention Network Qualification Program (RAPS) There isterm·mth no mention of a socio-economic disadvantaged populationterm·key with higher risks of mental illness It was not included in the final version of the proposal. It was suggested to consider a population with mental illness, specifically those with a higher grade of social disadvantage. It was suggested to include them in the analysis. After Implementation researchterm·mth of strategies to strengthen leadership to guarantee the rights in the CAPS of São Bernardo do Campo / SP. Chile Before Policy on interchangeability of medications in Chile It was suggested to the authors to evaluate the impact on out-of-pocket payments related to medicines The authors focused the project on the private market. However, it won’t be possible to know the impact on different income quintiles of the population, because this information isterm·mth not available in the database. After Medication interchangeability policy implementation of medicaments in Chile Colombia Before “Por ti Mujer” Program for early detection and treatment of women with cervical anomalies. The program could implement strategies of vertical equity to improve the adherence of the more disadvantaged populationterm·key. A disadvantaged populationterm·key isterm·mth not identified in the final version. However, it was suggested to the authors to analyze the population from the perspective of ethnicity and a socio-economic variable. After “Por ti Mujer” Program Perú Before Inter-programmatic articulation of tuberculosis and mental health for the National Tuberculosis Prevention and Control health strategy Adherence to TB treatments of patients with mental disorders isterm·mth a problem. However, it was suggested to consider also TB patients with mental disorders that are not near healthcare centers, and can be further disadvantaged. The initial proposal and researchers were changed. Callao isterm·mth a Peruvian region with a high social disadvantage in many aspects -economic, access to healthcare, standard of living, population density, sanitation, etc. A multi-sectoral approach was suggested considering these social determinants of healthterm·key. After Implementation factors and treatment adherence of the Tuberculosis Prevention and Control National health strategy at Callao - Perú Dominican Republic Before Family planning program The perspective of gender equity isterm·mth included from the beginning. It was suggested to consider male adolescents that do not have access to the family planning program, given that they are usually in a more disadvantaged condition than those who really do. The socio-economic perspective isterm·mth not identified in this new version. However, it was suggested to include it in the analysis. After Gender and contraception in the Dominican Republic: a look at men Source: Authors In a meeting with the country teams, the inclusion of equity-issues in the analysis phase of the projects was suggested to all participants. The absence of a conceptual model to guide the inclusion of equity issues during implementation researchterm·mth of health programs was evident. A draft version of the conceptual model was discussed during this meeting, and some of their suggestions were included in the final version of this proposal.

Third phase Finally, a conceptual framework of Equity-focused Implementation Researchterm·mth for Health Programs (EquIRterm) was developed (Fig. 1 ). It includes elements of Implementation Researchterm·mth beginning with a previous equity-focused population health status and finishing with a new population equity-focused health status. This isterm·mth an iterative process that could be repeated until the IRterm·mth outcomes and/or equity-focused health status of the population isterm·mth actually improved. Additionally, other sectors (work, agriculture, health, economic, technology and innovation, education, social welfare, environment, culture, transport and others) were included in association with the social determinants of healthterm·key [ 35 ], universal health coverage and the potential impact of the EquIRterm of health programs. This isterm·mth what isterm·mth called the context and could be related directly to the implementation within the health system/sector, or indirectly, by other sectors. Social determinants of healthterm·key are highly relevant in the occurrence of health problems and disparities related to health problems (Fig. 2 ) [ 36 ]. They could be operationalized with the use of the PROGRESS Plusterm proposal (the elements of “PROGRESS” are Place of residence, Race/ethnicity/culture/language, Occupation, Gender/sex, Religion, Education, Socioeconomic status and Social capital, and “Plus” captures other aspects of discrimination and health disadvantage, like age, disability, sexual orientation and transitions) [ 37 , 38 ]. Fig. 1 Conceptual framework of Equity-focused Implementation Researchterm·mth – EquIRterm. Source: Authors Fig. 2 Social determinants of healthterm·key. Source: Authors, adapted from Marmot M. Social determinants of healthterm·key inequalities. Lancet. 2005 Mar;365(9464):1099–104. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)71146-6 Clockwise, the starting point of the conceptual framework of Equity-focused Implementation Researchterm·mth – EquIRterm (Fig. 1 ) isterm·mth a population’s health status. The suggested steps in this framework are: 1st Step: To identify the health status of the population as the starting point in each cycle and as the focus of the health program or intervention. This step must include the health status of the general population as well as of the disadvantaged populationterm·key. It isterm·mth a crucial step because it could affect the results of the program, and specifically, the results for the disadvantaged populationterm·key. In the case of Bolivia, the program was going to be implemented in a disadvantaged community of children. However, at the beginning it focused on children with the possibility of access to a primary healthcare center. Within this community, children unable to attend a healthcare center are more disadvantaged than others and would not benefit from the program. Consequently, the authors changed the way of implementing the program with a view of having a positive effect on children living far away from health centers. 2nd Step: In the equity focused planning phase of the program (EquIRterm Planning Phase), it isterm·mth important to identify the relevant research questions, taking into consideration the disadvantaged populationsterm·key potentially impacted by the program (positive or negatively); and to quantify the inequalities to be solved and the possible equity-focused or equity-sensitive recommendations (preferably based on evidence) to be implemented with the program. During this phase, the aim should be to diminish current inequalities, or at least, not to increase them. The researcher of the Bolivian proposal planned the program and following consideration of the most disadvantaged among the disadvantaged, proceeded to involve new players that could facilitate the implementation of the program, including children living in remote rural areas. 3rd Step: During the EquIRterm design phase, the following isterm·mth suggested: to identify key players for implementing equity-focused recommendations (e.g., health professionals, patients, community, stakeholders and others); and to identify barriers and facilitators for the implementation of equity-focused recommendations. During this phase, it isterm·mth relevant to consider equity-focused implementation outcomesterm·key in order to identify the best research design to evaluate the impact of implementing the program based on those outcomes (Fig. 1 ). In the Bolivian case, researchers will use a qualitative design to evaluate the variables that affect adherence to the Program, including families that attend the primary healthcare centers and families living in remote rural areas, visited by providers of the “Mi Salud” program. This was included in the project during the design. Researchers also included anemia and child nutrition as variables routinely monitored under the program. Identification of barriers and facilitators during this phase isterm·mth the essential previous step to build on. 4th Step: The following isterm·mth suggested for the EquIRterm implementation: to design strategies aimed at overcoming the barriers identified; to define resources and incentives; to define the monitoring and evaluation strategies; and to design the equity-focused communication strategies to be used in the next phase. In the Bolivian case, the researchers talked with policy-makers and government agencies in order to facilitate the participation of visitors from the “Mi Salud” program within the implementation phase of this program. 5th Step. In the EquIRterm implementation outcomesterm·key phase, it isterm·mth expected that the impact of the Program will be monitored using classical implementation outcomesterm·key defined in Implementation Researchterm·mth [ 22 ], but these should have an equity focus, as suggested in Table 3 . During this phase, it isterm·mth essential to evaluate and monitor the outcomes established. In our examples, in Brazil, Colombia, Peru and the Dominican Republic, which did not explicitly include a disadvantaged populationterm·key, to the use of these equity focused implementation outcomesterm·key was suggested. In the Bolivian case, they were included from the EquIRterm planning phase. 6th Step and 1st Step: The equity-focused health population status isterm·mth included as the final step and the new starting point of this or any other program designed to improve inequalities. The new heath population status isterm·mth the best possible outcome to monitor the implementation of health interventions or programs. However, these are long-term outcomes that are not preferred by politicians or policy-makers, or by researchers that need to know if it isterm·mth convenient to continue with the program when health outcomes have not changed. In this case, the EquIRterm implementation outcomesterm·key are the best way to know if the program isterm·mth improving health inequalitiesterm·dom across the implementation outcomesterm·key in the short-term. If a program isterm·mth not able to improve EquIRterm implementation outcomesterm·key in the short-term, inequalities in the health population status will not be improved in the long-term. From this perspective, the equity-sensitive IRterm·mth outcomes approach would lead equity-sensitive improvements in program and policy processes that finally drive to positive population health outcomes. The iterative process proposed here with this model allows the evaluation of the impact of the program with a before-after design, emphasizing the impact on a disadvantaged populationterm·key. Each of the implementation outcomesterm·key, or a set of them, could require a different kind of research design, depending on the research questions and the disadvantaged populationterm·key defined from the start, during the planning phase of the program (Fig. 1 ). Table 3 Definition of equity-focused implementation outcomesterm·key Implementation outcomesterm·key Equity-focused Definition Acceptability The perception among the key players in implementation: health professionals, stakeholders, patients, community, disadvantaged populationterm·key and others. Adoption The intention, utilization or action to try to employ the sensitive equity recommendation in the new program or intervention. Appropriateness The relevance or perceived fit, or usefulness or practicability of the program or intervention in the disadvantaged populationterm·key. Feasibility The extent to which the program or intervention allows to reduce the barriers, and can be carried out in any setting, especially among disadvantaged populationsterm·key. Fidelity The adherence of disadvantaged populationterm·key to the equity-focused implementation program or intervention. Implementation cost Total cost of the program implementation in disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged populations, and the final adjusted cost-effectiveness economic evaluation. Coverage The degree of reach, access, service spread or effective coverage (combining coverage and fidelity) on the disadvantaged populationterm·key eligible to benefit from the program or the intervention. Sustainability The maintenance, continuation or durability of the program or intervention implemented through short, medium and long-term strategies, including disadvantaged populationsterm·key. Source: Authors, adapted from Peters DH, Adam T, Alonge O, Agyepong IA, TranpersName N. Implementation researchterm·mth: what it isterm·mth and how to do it. BMJ. 2013;347:f6753 [ 14 ] Discussion Although some health programs include equity issues, they do not include an implementation approach to diminish inequalities. This conceptual framework isterm·mth a pragmatical proposal to incorporate equity issues during the whole process of planning, designing, implementing and monitoring the health program or intervention. This framework isterm·mth based on the available evidence (Phase 1) where the relevant components and processes were identified, such as methodological steps and program planning [ 20 , 28 – 30 ], identification of vulnerable groups [ 30 , 34 ], the identification of barriers and facilitators [ 21 , 33 , 34 ], the design of implementation programs and tools [ 30 , 32 , 33 ] and monitoring and evaluation of implementation [ 27 ]. This allowed the construction of this framework which can be used as a tool to integrate equity considerations in implementation researchterm·mth, and making sure that equity isterm·mth considered an essential outcome in health interventions, programs and policies [ 39 ]. Equity in health isterm·mth an issue usually related with the development of health systems and their performance [ 40 , 41 ].

We found in the literature a few frameworks that consider equity in research and reporting. One example isterm·mth the PROGRESS Plusterm framework, which focuses on highlighting unfair differences in disease burden and interventions in order to reduce these differential effects, but which does not explicitly involve implementation considerations [ 37 , 42 ]. A proposal has been made and implemented with the Development of Equity focused Clinical Practice Guidelines under the GRADE approach [ 43 – 47 ], although it does not relate specifically to implementation researchterm·mth for health programs or interventions.

Implementation Researchterm·mth looks for scientific evidence of programs, interventions or policies on implementation outcomesterm·key [ 14 ]. These implementation outcomesterm·key are related more to the effect of the strategies used for implementing the program, than to the effect of the program on population health status. As such, it might be more challenging to embed equity issues in implementation researchterm·mth proposals. Morgan et al., developed a decision-making framework to inform coverage decisions for healthcare interventions [ 48 ], involving a proposal of equal distribution of the intervention in the target region or population, using only two implementation outcomesterm·key (acceptability and feasibility). EquIRterm proposes equity-focused implementation outcomesterm·key, designed to measure the outcome differentially between advantaged and disadvantaged populationsterm·key. Acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, fidelity, costs, coverage or sustainability could be different for a disadvantaged populationterm·key compared with an advantaged population.

Implementing new health interventions could increase health inequalitiesterm·dom [ 49 ], and the role of EquIRterm isterm·mth to diminish current health inequalitiesterm·dom, not to increase the current ones, or at least, to diminish the potential negative impact on health inequalitiesterm·dom when new interventions are implemented. It isterm·mth not possible to punish new technologies because they will increase inequalities. However, implementation researchterm·mth could diminish this negative impact at the beginning of the implementation.

Innov8term·mth isterm·mth an approach developed to help operationalize the Sustainable Development Goals. It aims to move progressively towards universal health coverage, using evidence-based programmatic actions that help reduce in-country inequities [ 50 ] through 8 steps: “ 1. Complete the diagnostic checklist; 2. Understand the program theory; 3. Identify who isterm·mth being left out by the program; 4. Identify the barriers and facilitating factors experienced by subpopulations. 5: Identify the mechanisms that give rise to health inequitiesterm·dom; 6. Consider inter-sectorial action and social participation as central elements; 7. Produce a redesign proposal to act on the review findings; and 8. Strengthen monitoring and evaluation ” [ 50 ]. Innov8term·mth isterm·mth proposed for use with current programs in order to design or re-design them in an attempt at addressing health inequalitiesterm·dom. Although monitoring and evaluation strategies are included to propose new changes, there are no explicit components related to implementation researchterm·mth or equity-focused implementation researchterm·mth.

EquIRterm offers a step-by-step proposal to facilitate the process of embedding equity issues in the implementation researchterm·mth of interventions or programs contained in health policies. Our experience with research projects of the country-focused program to facilitate improvements in program, policy and system implementation through research embedded within existing processes, have shown us how easy it isterm·mth to forget disadvantaged populationsterm·key when there isterm·mth pressure to show results soon. Policy-makers are deciding what, why and with whom to implement, and “preferably sooner than later.” This proposal of a conceptual framework could facilitate the process of not forgetting disadvantaged populationsterm·key when decision makers or implementers are thinking about “who to implement for” soon. Also, EquIRterm isterm·mth an iterative process, where once the new health population status and implementation outcomesterm·key are found, it isterm·mth then possible to redesign the program to enhance or strengthen the results found previously.

Health systems research usually utilizes the perspective of the institution, health professionals or third-party payers. Health equityterm·key requires that we think from different perspectives that go beyond the third payer or the health system, and in which society as a whole isterm·mth involved. This isterm·mth because social injustices or global inequalities are at the source of health inequitiesterm·dom/inequalities. The role of social determinants of healthterm·key isterm·mth fundamental when it comes to conceiving a proposal that tries to incorporate elements aimed at minimizing inequalities or inequities in health, not just as a part of the diagnosis, but as active components that could improve the current inequalities/inequities, with the participation of other players or sectors. Education, occupation, gender, poverty, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic condition are usually mentioned when population health status isterm·mth evaluated. These relationships are well-known. However, the question isterm·mth what to do. “Health in all policies” [ 35 ] isterm·mth an interesting way to integrate other sectors with the health sector with a view of strengthening the role of social determinants of healthterm·key in the daily practice of public health and public policies. The Innov8term·mth approach also includes, perspectives that go beyond the health sector, with the intention of working on social determinants of healthterm·key with inter-sectorial strategies [ 50 ].

Conclusion EquIRterm isterm·mth a conceptual framework which isterm·mth proposed for use by decision makers and researchers during the implementation of health programs, politics or interventions. EquIRterm involves the role of social determinants of healthterm·key and the use of inter-sectorial strategies from the design of the program, which force the implementer to involve other sectors which may improve the implementation of the strategy and create a more profound impact on the equity-focused implementation outcomesterm·key and, ultimately, on inequities in the population health status, considering the close relationship among equity, social justice and social determinants of healthterm·key. Future evaluation of its effectiveness to improve implementation outcomesterm·key within disadvantaged populationsterm·key or, even better, to improve health outcomes in the disadvantaged populationterm·key are needed.