Research Group Implementation Research and Mental Health

The research group “Implementation research and mental health” is concerned with the scientific study of methods and strategies that facilitate the uptake of evidence-based interventions and research into regular use by practitioners and policy makers. We have a particular focus on mental health but support and work with researchers on other non-communicable disease projects across BIPS and beyond.

Our aim is to close the implementation gap by addressing barriers that impede the uptake of evidence-based practices into routine health care, thereby improving the quality and effectiveness of health services. We also work outside health services, focusing specifically on the implementation of interventions for prevention in a variety of community-based settings.

We understand implementation as occurring on a continuum that is aligned with different methods depending on the research question. For example, we study implementation as a contributing factor during the early delivery of interventions (proof of implementation) and make use of effectiveness-implementation hybrid trials or observational studies in this regard. Unlike clinical research the field of implementation science employs a broader approach allowing us to investigate implementation challenges at the individual, provider, organization and policy level. We also test different implementation strategies and evaluate their impact on the outcomes of interest. Another focus of our research is implementation as primary outcome. Here we make use of different implementation frameworks or theories depending on our investigation aim. We also have expertise in the investigation of scaling-up activities and further dissemination of evidence-based practices at the local or national level. Mixed-methods and participatory research are used for the latter. 

Selected Publications

    Position papers

  • Pan C-C, Barnils NP, Freye M, Reinschluessel AV, Müllmann S, Jürgens D, Kolschen J, Janetzki S, Jahnel T, Dassow H-H, Lange O, Rogowski W, Forberger S, Schüz B, Gerhardus A. Developing and assessing digital public health interventions: A digital public health framework (DigiPHrame) (Version 1.1). Bremen 2023.
    https://osf.io/nzst8

    • Articles with peer review

  • Kuhn E, Saleem M, Klein T, Köhler C, Fuhr D, Lahutina S, Minarik A, Musesengwa R, Neubauer K, Olisaeloka L, Osei F, Reinhold AS, Singh I, Spanhel K, Thomas N, Hendl T, Kellmeyer P, Böge K. Interdisciplinary perspectives on digital technologies for global mental health. PLoS Global Public Health. 2024;4(2):e0002867.
    https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002867
  • Ali R, Brown FL, Stevenson K, Jordans M, Taha K, El Amine M, Steen F, Meksassi B, Elias J, Aoun M, Roberts B, Sijbrandij M, Cuijpers P, Akhtar A, Malik A, Woodward A, Fuhr D, on behalf of the STRENGTHS consortium. Implementing a non-specialist delivered psychological intervention for young adolescents in a protracted refugee setting: A qualitative process evaluation in Lebanon. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research. 2024;51:377-394.
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-023-09870-3
  • van der Boor C, Andersen LS, Massazza A, Tol WA, Taban D, Roberts B, Ssebunnya J, Kinyanda E, May C, Nadkarni A, Fuhr D. Using theory of change to plan for the implementation of a psychological intervention addressing alcohol use disorder and psychological distress in Uganda. Global Mental Health. 2024;11:e6.
    https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2023.93
  • Meshkovska B, Forberger S, Wendt J, Scheller D, Castellari E, Tiboldo G, Ahrens W, Luszczynska A, Lien N, on behalf of the PEN consortium. Barriers and facilitators to implementation of the EU School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme: Cross country study. Global Implementation Research and Applications. 2024;4(1):52-65.
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s43477-023-00100-8
  • Fuhr D, Wolf-Ostermann K, Hoel V, Zeeb H. Digitale Technologien zur Verbesserung der psychischen Gesundheit. Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz. 2024;67(3):332-338.
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-024-03842-4
  • Wijekoon Mudiyanselage KW, De Santis KK, Jörg F, Saleem M, Stewart R, Zeeb H, Busse H. The effectiveness of mental health interventions involving non-specialists and digital technology in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2024;24:77.
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17417-6
  • Stevenson K, Fellmeth G, Edwards S, Calvert C, Bennett P, Campbell OMR, Fuhr D. The global burden of perinatal common mental disorders and substance use amongst migrant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health. 2023;8(3):e203-e216.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(22)00342-5
  • Nadkarni A, Massazza A, Guda R, Fernandes LT, Garg A, Jolly M, Andersen LS, Bhatia U, Bogdanov S, Roberts B, Tol WA, Velleman R, Moore Q, Fuhr D. Common strategies in empirically supported psychological interventions for alcohol use disorders: A meta-review. Drug and Alcohol Review. 2023;42(1):94-104.
    https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13550
  • Wendt J, Scheller D, Flechtner-Mors M, Meshkovska B, Luszczynska A, Lien N, Forberger S, Banik A, Lobczowska K, Steinacker J, on behalf of the PEN consortium. Barriers and facilitators to the adoption of physical activity policies in elementary schools from the perspective of principals: An application of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research - A cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Public Health. 2023;11:935292.
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.935292
  • Fuhr D, Sikander S, Vanobberghen F, Weobong B, Rahman A, Weiss HA. Predictors of spontaneous remission and recovery among women with untreated perinatal depression in India and Pakistan. Global Mental Health. 2023;10:e34.
    https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2023.26
  • Nagdeo KP, Lee H, Forberger S. International and national frameworks, guidelines, recommendations, and strategies for maternal tobacco prevention and cessation: A scoping review protocol. Tobacco Induced Diseases. 2023;21:144.
    https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/173088
  • Woodward A, Sondorp E, Barry AS, Dieleman MA, Fuhr D, Broerse JEW, Akhtar A, Awwad M, Bawaneh A, Bryant R, Sijbrandij M, Cuijpers P, Roberts B. Scaling up task-sharing psychological interventions for refugees in Jordan: A qualitative study on the potential barriers and facilitators. Health Policy and Planning. 2023;38(3):310-320.
    https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czad003
  • Petersen Williams P, Erasmus J, Myers B, Nadkarni A, Fuhr D. Community-based counselling programme for pregnant women with alcohol problems in Cape Town, South Africa: A qualitative study of the views of pregnant women and healthcare professionals. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2023;14:1203835.
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1203835
  • Wendt J, Scheller D, Banik A, Luszczynska A, Forberger S, Zeeb H, Scheidmeir M, Kubiak T, Lien N, Meshkovska B, Lobczowska K, Romaniuk P, Neumann-Podczaska A, Wieczorowska-Tobis K, Steinacker J, Mueller-Stierlin A. Good practice recommendations on implementation evaluation for policies targeting diet, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. BMC Public Health. 2023;23:1259.
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15775-9
  • Woodward A, Burchert S, Barry AS, Broerse JEW, Sondorp E, Bold A, Ruberl A, Hessling JM, Knaevelsrud C, Roberts B, Fuhr D, Ventevogel P, Hosny N, Lindegaard T, Shahnavaz S, Sijbrandij M, Cuijpers P, McKee M, Dieleman MA, on behalf of the STRENGTHS consortium. Scalability of digital psychological innovations for refugees: A comparative analysis in Egypt, Germany, and Sweden. SSM - Mental Health. 2023;4:100231.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2023.100231
  • Scheidmeir M, Kubiak T, Luszczynska A, Wendt J, Scheller D, Meshkovska B, Mueller-Stierlin A, Forberger S, Lobczowska K, Neumann-Podczaska A, Wieczorowska-Tobis K, Zeeb H, Steinacker J, Woods C, Lakerveld J, on behalf of the PEN consortium. Acceptability of policies targeting dietary behaviours and physical activity: A systematic review of tools and outcomes. European Journal of Public Health. 2022;32(4):iv32-iv49.
    https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckac053
  • Saleem M, Kühne L, De Santis KK, Christianson L, Brand T, Busse H. Understanding engagement strategies in digital interventions for mental health promotion: Scoping review. JMIR Mental Health. 2021;8(12):e30000.
    https://doi.org/10.2196/30000

    • Posters at scientific meetings/conferences

  • Forberger S, Reisch LA, Meshkovska B, Lobczowska K, Banik A, Wendt J, Mueller-Stierlin A, Steinacker J, Luszczynska A, Zeeb H. Bridging the gap combining implementation and policy research for health policies implementation evaluation for physical activity and nutrition. 22nd Annual Meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA), 14-17 June 2023, Uppsala, Sweden.

Staff

Antia, Khatia, Dr.
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56918
antia(at)leibniz-bips.de

Forberger, Sarah, Dr.
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56907
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941
forberger(at)leibniz-bips.de

Fuhr, Daniela, Prof. Dr.
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56754
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941
fuhr(at)leibniz-bips.de

Lo, Chungwan
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56922
lo(at)leibniz-bips.de

Omane, Cassandra Ama
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56925
omane(at)leibniz-bips.de

Saleem, Maham
Tel.: +49 (0)421 218-56923
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56923
saleem(at)leibniz-bips.de

Daniela Fuhr
Head of Research Group

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Daniela Fuhr
Tel +49 (0)421 21856 900 (secr.) / 21856 754 (dir.) 
Fax: +49 (0)421 218-56941

Email:
fuhr(at)leibniz-bips.de

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