What works, for whom, and when: Coincidence analysis for implementation science

Theresa Matson, PhD, MPH
Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute

ABSTRACT:
Understanding why some interventions succeed while others fail is crucial for implementing evidence-based practices in real-world settings. Implementation efforts are complex, involving many factors, including the intervention itself, the strategies used to put it into practice, and the unique characteristics of each setting. Traditional research methods provide valuable insights, but they may not fully capture how different factors come together to influence success. This presentation provides an overview of Coincidence Analysis (CNA), a mathematical, case-based method that can uncover multiple pathways to success by modeling combinations of factor values that are minimally necessary and sufficient for an outcome. CNA can be applied as a standalone method or in conjunction with other approaches; we will discuss the types of questions that CNA is well-suited to answer. Finally, in an applied example, this presentation will share novel findings from secondary analysis of an implementation trial that used CNA to identify “difference-makers” that consistently and uniquely distinguished clinics that increased opioid use disorder treatment from those that did not.