Facilitating the translation of research tested interventions into practice: The role of the NCI's Cancer Information Service

Purpose: The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Information Service (CIS) collaborates with community-based and cancer control partners to address disparities by integrating evidence-based cancer control programs into practice. NCI's Using What Works: Adapting Evidence-Based Programs to Fit Your Needs (UWW) program teaches users how to plan a health program using research-tested interventions (RTIs).

Design and Methods: The CIS plays an integral role in translating RTIs into practice. Specifically, the CIS's role includes: training partner organizations with NCI's Using What Works program; providing technical support in the adaptation of RTIs and supporting policy changes by educating and empowering funding agencies and grantees to adopt evidence based interventions.

Results: Through a cadre of public health trained regional Partnership Program staff, CIS has delivered over 50 UWW trainings (over 1000 attendees) throughout the country since June 2006. Training approaches varied from traditional face-to-face to web-based sessions. Trainings were designed to: raise awareness of evidence-based cancer control (31%); introduce specific concepts around the adaptation of RTIs (17%); and strengthen ability to adapt RTIs through skill building activities (52%). CIS has also helped a broad array of partners, including underserved populations, comprehensive cancer control coalitions and funding agencies, identify and select RTIs from Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. and then adapt the RTIs to fit their target population while retaining fidelity.

Conclusions: This presentation will provide an overview of the NCI's UWW program and the CIS's role in translating RTIs into practice through training, adaptation and technical assistance to support program planning and implementation.