P1 What makes innovations both ‘stick’ and ‘spread’? A multidisciplinary systematic
review to understand implementation depth and scale-up of innovations in healthcare
Alexandra Ziemann1, Yaru Chen1, Yiannis Kyratsis1,2, Charitini Stavropoulou1,3, Harry
Scarbrough1,4
1Centre for Healthcare Innovation Research (CHIR), City, University of London, London,
United Kingdom; 2 VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1081 HV, Netherlands; 3School of Health
Sciences, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom; 4CASS Business School,
City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
Correspondence: Alexandra Ziemann (alexandra.ziemann@city.ac.uk)
Background
Often, healthcare innovations are not sustained after adoption and vary in their effectiveness
when scaled-up.[1] Diverging research strands focus on either implementation or scale-up/diffusion.
These strands typically have different analysis levels, focus on different implementation
phases and are conducted in different research fields (e.g., health research (implementation),
organisation studies (diffusion)). This systematic review aimed at synthesising evidence
on implementation depth and innovation diffusion published in these diverging research
fields.
Method
We systematically searched eleven health and organisation/management studies databases
for theoretical and empirical studies published in English language, including Medline
and Business Source Complete. The search strategy combined terms for innovation with
terms for implementation depth or diffusion. Further we hand-searched key textbooks,
references and citations of included studies and relevant journals in the two fields.
Two reviewers screened for inclusion and extracted data. Conflicts were resolved in
the team. Data are analysed applying qualitative thematic analysis and summarised
in a narrative synthesis.
Results
Preliminary results show that conceptualisations of implementation depth and innovation
diffusion vary according to the theoretical perspective. They can be conceptualised
along dimensions of scale (extensiveness, completeness, prevalence), scope (degree
of fit, fidelity and adaptation), process (incremental and continuous or disruptive
and episodic) and outcome (decoupling and ephemeral or sustained change).
Conclusion
The review synthesises concepts from different levels of analysis and diverse literatures.
It sheds light on the blind spot in our understanding of how to achieve both, the
widespread and sustainable implementation of innovations.
Acknowledgements
This abstract is presented on behalf of the interdisciplinary Centre for Healthcare
Innovation Research (CHIR) at City, University of London. All authors contributed
equally to the abstract.
Reference
1. Health Foundation, editor. The spread challenge. London: Health Foundation; 2018.
P2 Scaling up guidance documents on dementia palliative care: PAR methods and strategies
to promote implementation
Suzanne Timmons1, Nicola Cornally1, Irene Hartigan1, Elaine Lehane1, Catherine Buckley2,
Christina O’Loughlin4, Colette Finn1, Marie Lynch3, Alice Coffey4
1University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; 2St Luke’s Home, Cork, Ireland; 3Irish Hospice
Foundation, Dublin, Ireland; 4University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Correspondence: Alice Coffey (alice.coffey@ul.ie)
Background
Dementia is a progressive illness and in the later stages, the person will have difficulty
communicating their needs in relation to thirst, hunger, pain or discomfort. In Ireland,
over one third of people with dementia reside in Long Term Care settings. Evidence
based guidance documents for dementia palliative were developed by the authors with
the support of the Irish Hospice Foundation. The aim of this study is to implement
the guidance intervention in three Long Term Care (LTC) facilities in Ireland.
Method
The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Science (CFIR) underpinned the 3 phases
to promote implementation. Phase 1 consisted of situational analysis, interviews with
residents and carers and audit of current practice to identify factors that for the
up scaling of the intervention and implementation process. The implementation process
is guided by Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology. These data informed
the design of the educational intervention within work based learning groups (WBLG).
Results
Work based learning groups with virtual and physical resources were developed using
combined blended approach to learning. Four face-to-face sessions with active and
creative learning opportunities were designed based on findings from the situational
analysis results in phase 1.
Conclusion
This dynamic approach to implementing the guidance within WBLG enables learners to
have greater control over how the learning takes place. Provisions within the work
place allow for ‘in employment’ education to overcome any disconnect associated with
traditional education methods. Using this Participatory Action Research process within
an implementation framework created learning and embracing of change in practice from
within including the identification of strategies to overcome difficulties and maximise
benefits of implementation.
Acknowledgements This study is co-funded by the Irish Health Research Board Applied
Partnership Award and the Irish Hospice Foundation
O3 Improving European Healthcare Systems through the Development of a Realist Evaluation
Framework for a European Public Health Data Analytic Project
Andrew Boilson1, Regina Connolly2, Anthony Staines1, Paul Davis2, Justin Connolly1
, Dale Weston3
1 School of Nursing and Human Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin
9, Ireland; 2 Business School, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland;
3 Emergency Response Department, Science and Technology, Health Protection Directorate,
Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
Correspondence: Andrew Boilson (andrew.boilson2@mail.dcu.ie)
Background
The multi-national MIDAS (Meaningful Integration of Data Analytics and Services) project
is developing a big data platform to facilitate utilisation of a wide range of health
and social care data to enable integration of heterogeneous data sources, providing
analytics, forecasting tools and bespoke visualisations of actionable epidemiological
data.
Method
An evaluation framework starting with a logic model and semi-structured interviews
using the principles of realist evaluation was developed working with 6 developers,
5 health service managers, 2 allied health professionals and 3 policy makers. Parallel
case studies were used to address the requirements of stakeholders at critical time
points during the project.
Results
At this early stage of the MIDAS project’s development, the logic model represents
an accurate representation of the project’s key outputs, outcomes and impacts identified
through the logic model transcripts coding process. The logic model was developed
through a number of iterations of consultation with the MIDAS consortium as an initial
process of evaluating, planning and developing the project.
As the project progresses, key indicators (outputs, outcomes and impacts) that were
not initially included in the logic model may be identified through interviews with
end users of the MIDAS platform tools and the technical development teams.
Conclusion
The objective of this study is to narrow the gap between end user requirements of
the platform tools and technical developers’ expectations of the end user needs, an
ongoing process of refining the logic model is required at critical stages of the
project’s development. To narrow the gap an ongoing process of refining the logic
model is required at critical stages of the project’s development. Overall, the early
stage interviews indicated the logic model is an effective framework for the evaluation
of the project.
O4 Scaling up with structure: Impact, feasibility and theoretical reflections on a
practice-informed scale up template to improve patient safety
Andrew Sibley, Tracy Broom
Wessex Academic Health Science Network, Innovation Centre, Southampton, UK.
Correspondence: Andrew Sibley (andrew.sibley@wessexahsn.net)
Background
In 2017/18 Wessex Patient Safety Collaborative (PSC) led a project to support local
NHS teams expand established patient safety initiatives. The aim was to develop a
‘scale up template’ (SUT) and test its use in practice. The SUT undertook “deliberate
efforts to increase the impact of innovation to benefit more people and to foster
policy and program development on a lasting basis.” [1] The SUT aimed to support “scale
up to at least 60% of a target population that could potentially benefit from the
program.” [2] The SUT developed a 10-stage process to scale up and used pragmatic
techniques of engagement, face-to-face, with staff to work through the complexities
of scale up.
Method
A mixed methods investigation, of the impact and feasibility of the SUT, collected
quantitative scale up data on each initiative and undertook qualitative focus groups
with staff.
Results
Quantitative findings indicated all initiatives reached their target of 60% (55 of
92 possible) scaled up units (hospital wards, care homes etc). Sixteen themes from
a synthesised thematic analysis of four focus groups were identified. Themes included:
Overwhelmingly positive perceptions of SUT; SUT changed the previous scale up approach;
Train the trainer potential. Facilitator themes included: Project manager role vital;
First meeting with AHSN PSC lead vital; SUT developed staff awareness of implementation
science/scale up; Executive sponsorship vital. A key barrier theme was the systemic
underestimation, by staff, of scale up complexity and challenges.
Conclusion
The SUT was perceived as a positive force for change as teams pragmatically worked
with complexity to scale up their initiatives. The SUT was a catalyst for changing
approach after previous failed attempts to scale up had occurred. Active ingredients
of its value were identified. Reflections on how the SUT mapped to implementation
theories was undertaken to further develop the SUT.
Acknowledgements
On behalf of Wessex AHSN and Wessex Patient Safety Collaborative, we would like to
thank the NHS staff who participated in this scale up initiative and evaluation.
References
1. Norton WE, McCannon CJ, Schall MW, Mittman BS. A stakeholder driven agenda for
advancing the science and practice of scale up and spread in health. Implementation
Science. 2012; 7: 118.
2. Rabin BA, Brownson RC. Developing the terminology for dissemination and implementation
of research. Dissemination and implementation research in health. 2012; DOI:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199751877.003.0002
O5 The role of knowledge exchange in scaling-up a complex intervention for osteoarthritis
(ESCAPE-pain) in England
Andrew Walker1,2, Annette Boaz2, Michael V Hurley1,2
1Health Innovation Network, London, UK; 2Kingston University and St George’s, University
of London, London, UK
Correspondence: Andrew Walker (andrew.walker8@nhs.net)
Background
Implementing and scaling-up innovations is a collective social process [1,2]. However,
there is limited analysis about how knowledge exchange operates in practice to support
scaling-up [3]. ESCAPE-pain is an evidence-based complex intervention for osteoarthritis
currently in >100 sites in England. The study investigated the role of knowledge exchange
in scaling-up ESCAPE-pain.
Method
A qualitative case study approach was used. Forty clinicians and managers participated
in 50 interviews across 14 organisations in England. Four NHS providers were selected
as case studies, each comprising 5-7 participants. A fifth case study was undertaken
of a clinical-academic network’s role in supporting the scale-up of ESCAPE-pain. This
used an ethnographic approach comprising multiple interviews with project and senior
managers, 8 months of observations and documentation.
Results
Two themes are explored.
1) Creating spaces to exchange formal and tacit knowledge:
Physical spaces – large stakeholder knowledge sharing events and partnership working
with early adopters were used to share learning about implementing ESCAPE-pain.
Digital spaces – a website and app were developed to expand geographical reach and
provide practical knowledge about ESCAPE-pain and its implementation.
2) Types of knowledge created and its purpose – the knowledge exchange process developed
understanding about:
ESCAPE-pain and how to manage osteoarthritis better through manualising it, developing
a training course, and creating resources (e.g. return on investment tool).
How to implement ESCAPE-pain to expand reach across different settings, widening target
populations, and broadening the workforce delivering it (e.g. clinician/non-clinicians).
Conclusion
The study provides empirical evidence that builds on reframing the idea of the evidence-practice
gap as one of a “space” of interaction [4]. The clinical-academic network actively
facilitated better connectivity across systems to support the exchange and production
of knowledge to drive spread. It was a non-linear and emergent process that utilised
formal and tacit knowledge. This has implications for planning system-wide scale-up.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the participants who took part on the study. Health Innovation
Network for funding the study.
References
1. Lanham HJ, Leykum LK, Taylor BS, McCannon CJ, Lindberg C, Lester RT. How complexity
science can inform scale-up and spread in health care: understanding the role of self-organization
in variation across local contexts. Soc Sci Med 1982. 2013 Sep; 93:194–202.
2. May CR, Johnson M, Finch T. Implementation, context and complexity. Implement Sci.
2016;11:141.
3. Ward V, Smith S, House A, Hamer S. Exploring knowledge exchange: a useful framework
for practice and policy. Soc Sci Med 1982. 2012 Feb;74(3):297–304.
4. Kitson A, Brook A, Harvey G, Jordan Z, Marshall R, O’Shea R, et al. Using Complexity
and Network Concepts to Inform Healthcare Knowledge Translation. Int J Health Policy
Manag. 2018 Mar 1;7(3):231–43.
O6 Assessing causal links and potential consequences of implementing innovations in
complex systems – A worked example of applying participatory systems thinking methods
in a regional emergency medical service system in Oldenburg, Germany
Anja Sommer1,2, Cassandra Rehbock1, Thomas Krafft1, Alexandra Ziemann1,3
1Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Care and Public Health Research Institute,
Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; 2Department of Anesthesiology,
University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; 3CHIR Centre
for Healthcare Innovation Research, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
Correspondence: Anja Sommer (a.sommer@maastrichtuniversity.nl) & Cassandra Rehbock
(c.rehbock@maastrichtuniversity.nl)
Background
We assessed the usefulness of systems thinking methods to guide the implementation
of interventions reducing demand in a German emergency medical service (EMS) system
with the aim of
analysing intended and unintended consequences of implementing innovations in a complex
system; and
enhancing stakeholder involvement in the implementation process.
Method
Within a stakeholder group (EMS managers, frontline staff, health insurance representatives),
causes and consequences of ‘rising EMS demand’ were discussed and incorporated into
a causal loop diagram [1]. Potential interventions to reduce demand were identified
by the group and incorporated into the diagram. A pathway analysis was conducted identifying
intended or unintended consequences of prioritised interventions in the system [2].
Next steps include assessing time delays, a cross-comparison of the interventions’
impact and a stakeholder evaluation of the methodology.
Results
36 variables in four thematic groups were identified as interlinked causes/consequences
of demand rise (staff, patients, other services, policy level). Eight feedback loops
were identified. Four of 13 interventions were included in the path analysis showing
no unintended consequences in the system (Figure 1). Results of the next analysis
steps will be presented at the conference.
Conclusion
Applying systems thinking methods helped understanding the complex interactions in
the EMS system around the specific problem of demand rise and assess the impact of
potential interventions. The methodology allowed for the interactive involvement of
the stakeholders from the beginning of the implementation process.
Acknowledgements
Both corresponding authors have contributed equally to this paper and count as first
authors. We also thank the Oldenburg-project consortium for their steady input throughout
the process of this work.
References
1. Schoenenberger LK, Bayer S, Ansah JP, Matchar DB, Mohanavalli RL, Lam SSW, Ong
MEH. Emergency department crowding in Singapore: Insights from a systems thinking
approach. SAGE Open Med. 2016; 4: 1 - 10.
2. Schoenenberger L, Schenker-Wicki A, Beck M. Analysing Terrorism from a Systems
Thinking Perspective. Perspectives on Terrorism. 2014; 8: 16 - 36.
Figure 1 (abstract P6).
Extract of a pathway analysis for one intervention. (+ = reinforcing, - = balancing)
P7 Can a short course increase the skills of early career researchers in initiating
and sustaining partnerships with policy? Findings from a pilot evaluation
Anna Williamson1,2,3, Hannah Tait1, Sian Rudge1, Louisa Jorm2, Sally Redman1
1The Sax Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 2The University of New South Wales, Sydney,
NSW, Australia; 3 The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Correspondence: Anna Williamson (anna.williamson@saxinstitute.org.au)
Background
Researchers internationally are increasingly motivated to work in partnership with
policy agencies on research projects. Such partnerships can be challenging to initiate
and sustain, however, and there are few resources available to guide researchers wishing
to build skills in this space. The current study presents pilot data from a short
course designed to increase the capacity of early career researchers to initiate and
sustain research partnerships with policy agencies. The specific aims of the study
are to assess the: a) Uptake and acceptability of the course; b) Impact of the course
on intentions to work with policy makers and confidence in doing so; and c) Extent
to which the impacts (if any) of the course were sustained six months post attendance.
Method
A pilot evaluation of the first two rounds of this course, developed by the Centre
for Informing Policy in Health with Evidence from Research (CIPHER) and the Sax Institute,
was conducted. Process measures were collected to assess feasibility, a post-course
feedback form was administered to assess acceptability. Participants completed a short
questionnaire rating their skills and confidence in working with policy makers, pre,
immediately post and six months post course attendance.
Results
The course was feasible to run. Ten participants attended and completed each course
(as planned) and feedback data suggested the course was highly acceptable to participants
(average ratings of ≥’satisfied’ for all items). Significant improvement in self-reported
skills, confidence and intentions regarding working with policy agencies were noted
amongst participants post course and almost all were maintained at six month follow
up.
Conclusion
Early data suggests that this short course is a feasible and effective way of improving
early career researchers self-reported skills, confidence and intentions to work in
partnership with policy agencies on research projects.
Acknowledgements
This course was developed as part of the Centre for Informing Policy in Health with
Evidence from Research (CIPHER), CIPHER was a National Health and Medical Research
Council Centre for Research Excellence (APP1011436). The evaluation of this course
was funded by a NSW Health Early-Mid Career Research Fellowship awarded to Dr Anna
Williamson.
O8 Implementing the children and young people’s IAPT quality improvement initiative
in Cambridgeshire: findings from a process evaluation
Anne-Marie Burn1, Maris Vainre1, Ayla Humphrey2, Emma Howarth1
1 NIHR CLAHRC East of England, Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge,
Cambridge, UK; 2 Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Correspondence: Anne-Marie Burn (amb278@medschl.cam.ac.uk)
Background
In 2011, the Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies
(CYP-IAPT) programme was introduced nationally to improve outcomes and experience
of care for children and young people. The aim was to support services to embed key
CYP-IAPT principles into everyday clinical practice so as to deliver evidence-based
practice, demonstrate accountability through outcome monitoring, increase access to
effective services and engage children and young people to participate in decisions
about treatment and services. The current study explored the process of implementation
and the experiences of professionals in specialist mental health settings in Cambridgeshire.
Methods
i) An audit and analysis of national and local documents issued between 2011 and 2015
and mapped along a five-year timeline; ii) Thematic analysis of in-depth interviews
with 20 staff working in three specialist mental health settings in the Cambridgeshire
and Peterborough Foundation Trust, conducted at two time points along the implementation
trajectory.
Results
While there was high investment from frontline staff, there was a lack of clarity
about the scope and aims of the CYP-IAPT programme during the early implementation
phase. Programme developers emphasised some CYP-IAPT principles more than others and
there was variation in perceptions of the extent to which principles were embedded.
The creation of dedicated staff posts were a key driver to implementing and sustaining
the CYP-IAPT model at a local level; specialist training and enhanced supervision
facilitated evidence-based practice and outcome monitoring. Barriers to implementation
included inadequate and inflexible IT systems, time limited funding and a lack of
support from senior management. Organisational differences between partner agencies
led to ineffectual collaborative working and high staff turnover prevented knowledge
continuity.
Conclusion
This study provides valuable insights into local implementation of a complex national
quality improvement programme. Recommendations will inform other local quality improvement
initiatives relating to children and young people’s mental health.
P9 Developing an implementation strategy for the use of objective adherence data in
routine clinical practice: a case study in cystic fibrosis clinics
Carla Girling1, Daniel Hind1, Madelynne A Arden2, Martin J Wildman3
1Clinical Trials Research Unit, School of Health and Related Research, The University
of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; 2Department of Psychology, Sheffield Hallam University,
Sheffield, UK; 3Sheffield Adult CF Centre, Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation
Trust, Sheffield, UK
Correspondence: Carla Girling (c.girling@sheffield.ac.uk)
Background
Preventative inhaled treatments preserve lung function and prolong life in Cystic
Fibrosis (CF). An online platform (CFHealthHub) has been developed with patients and
clinicians to support treatment habits. Self-report adherence to these treatments
is over-estimated. CFHealthHub displays real-time objective adherence data from dose-counting
nebulisers, so that clinical teams can offer informed treatment support.
In this paper, we used the theoretical domains framework (TDF) to identify implementation
barriers to health professionals accessing objective adherence data through CFHealthHub.
In 2019, scale up of implementation is required in a further 19 CF centres.
Method
Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with health professionals
in three participating UK CF centres. The participants (n=13) were purposively sampled
based on location and professional category. A topic guide was created exploring all
theoretical domains. Transcripts were analysed by two researchers using framework
analysis.
Results
Interviews demonstrated that participants did not have routine habits for using adherence
data in clinical care. Analysis indicated that an implementation strategy should address
all 14 domains to successfully support implementation scale up.
Participants reported insufficient training and low confidence in using adherence
data. As a result, participants reported negative beliefs that adherence data would
be used to “tell patients off”.
In addition, participants frequently justified lack of engagement because they believed
adherence was primarily a physiotherapist responsibility.
Environmental barriers, such as computer access and pressures on staff time were common.
Participants thought environmental and social influence barriers could be addressed
by dedicated senior management.
Conclusion
The identified barriers supported the development of an implementation strategy using
the behaviour change wheel. The strategy includes support for habit formation and
other barriers using intervention functions, such as environmental restructuring,
enablement, education and modelling. The success of this strategy will be evaluated
as the project opens in new CF centres.
Acknowledgements CFHealthHub Data Observatory is funded by NHS England Commissioning
for Quality and Innovation
Trial Registration ISRCTN14464661
O10 What are the relationships between contexts, mechanisms and outcomes which underpin
the ‘dynamic sustainability’ of a complex health care intervention across a system?
Carrie-Ann Black, Nick Sevdalis, Crispin Day, Lucy Goulding
1Centre for Implementation Science, Health Service Population Research, IOPPN, King’s
College, London, UK
Correspondence: Carrie-Ann Black (carrie-ann.black@kcl.ac.uk)
Background
Whilst there is agreement within the implementation science arena that sustainability
is a key outcome, limited attention has been given to understanding how to sustain
complex interventions in practice [1]. Historically, the emphasis has been on evaluating
and exploring the initial implementation, with time and budgetary constraints often
meaning that longer term sustainability has not been a focus. To understand what affects
the determinants of sustainability, we need to understand the relationships between
determinants. To address this gap, we present a review of the evidence base which
aims to contribute to our understanding of these determinants and how they interrelate
in different contexts.
Method
A systematic rapid realist review of the literature was undertaken, to examine the
relationships between contexts, mechanisms and outcomes which underpin the ‘dynamic
sustainability’ of a complex health care intervention across a system. Evidence was
submitted to thematic content analysis and synthesised to create a series of Context-Mechanism-Outcome
Configurations (CMOCs). Testable hypotheses based on these configurations were derived
for further research.
Results
539 studies were screened, of which 17 studies were included in the review. Projects
were initiated in a variety of healthcare settings and represented a range of complex
interventions. The findings include a series of 17 CMOCs each illustrating how, triggered
by specific contextual factors a combination of programme resource and stakeholder
reasoning led to specific outcomes.
Conclusion
The review identified for the first time a set of CMOCs that determine sustainability
of complex healthcare interventions. These CMOCs are empirically testable. Our further
research focuses on studying how these CMOCs impact on sustainability outcomes.
References
1. Wiltsey Stirman, S., Kimberly, J., Cook, N., Calloway, A., Castro, F. and Charns,
M. The sustainability of new programs and innovations: a review of the empirical literature
and recommendations for future research.IS. 2012; 7 (17). Available from https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-7-17
P11 Implementation of non-specialist delivered counselling for depression and harmful
alcohol use in South Africa: managers’ perspectives
Carrie Brooke-Sumner1, 2, Petal Petersen-Williams1,2, James Kruger3, Hassan Mahomed3,4,
Bronwyn Myers1,2
1Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council,
Francie Van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Cape Town 7501, South Africa; 2Department of
Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, J-Block, Groote Schuur Hospital,
Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa; 3Western Cape Government: Health, Norton Rose
House, 8 Riebeeck Street, Cape Town 8001, South Africa; 4Division of Health Systems
and Public Health, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch
University, Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
Correspondence: Carrie Brooke-Sumner (Carrie.Brooke-Sumner@mrc.ac.za)
Background
Primary Health Care (PHC) Facility Managers have a key role in promoting and sustaining
implementation of health innovations. The Project MIND randomised controlled trial
is evaluating integration of counselling for depression and harmful alcohol use into
current chronic disease care. This qualitative study investigated the experiences
of Facility Managers who delivered the MIND counselling during the trial.
Method
This counselling has been implemented in 16 PHC facilities. We aimed to conduct three
focus group discussions with the managers from these sites. Two focus groups were
conducted; however, participation was low (n=7 total). We followed up with in-depth
individual interviews with 8 Facility managers and 1 Operational manager. Interviews
were conducted in English and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis in NVivo 12
was conducted by two researchers independently.
Results
Three main themes emerged.
Perceived benefits underpin managers’ support for implementation. All managers were
supportive of the wider implementation of the counselling. They described a range
of benefits including (i) prioritisation of mental disorders in the facility (ii)
addressing social determinants not addressed by clinical care.
Improving facility communication. Most managers felt implementation would benefit
from additional and ongoing communication (e.g. in staff meetings) about the counselling,
due to constant turnover of staff and complexity of the intervention.
Strategies for improving integration into current services. These included (i) linking
with mental health nurses for counsellors to attend to less severe cases (ii) ensuring
feedback to the treating clinician (e.g. HIV treatment) regarding outcome of counselling.
Conclusion
Facility managers in South Africa are a difficult to reach group given the pace and
nature of their work [1]. This study indicates their support for implementation of
MIND counselling despite health system constraints. Participants focused on facilitators
to enable the counselling to be integrated into their facilities, which should be
incorporated into future implementation studies.
Reference
1. Brooke-Sumner C, Petersen-Williams P, Kruger J, Mahomed H, Myers B. ‘Doing more
with less’: a qualitative investigation of perceptions of South African health service
managers on implementation of health innovations. Health Policy and Planning. 2019;
34: 132-140
O12 Developing products for knowledge mobilisation of healthcare research
Charlotte A Sharp 1, 2, 3, William G Dixon 4, Ruth Boaden1, 3, Caroline Sanders2
1National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health
Research and Care, Greater Manchester, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford,
UK; 2National Institute for Health Research School for Primary Care Research, The
University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK; 3Alliance
Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; 4Arthritis
Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological
Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester,
UK
Correspondence: Charlotte A Sharp (Charlotte.sharp@manchester.ac.uk)
Background
The current emphasis on demonstrating academic ‘impact’ contributes to the proliferation
of knowledge mobilisation (KM) products from healthcare research (e.g. toolkits, guidance
etc), which may be referred to as ‘boundary objects’. A research gap exists regarding
the motivation for their development, development processes and the factors influencing
whether and how they mobilise knowledge.
Methods
Phase 1: Semi-structured interviews (20) + focus group (11) (academics, healthcare
managers, funders) focussing on perceptions of toolkits. Phase 2: Four case studies
of applied healthcare research projects developing KM products. An ethnographic approach
generated data from observations (80+ hours), document analysis (>150) and interviews
(40). Thematic analysis was inductive and deductive, building on Phase 1 themes and
developing new themes where appropriate.
Results
Phase 1 saw the academic context constraining researchers’ ability to concentrate
on developing KM products. Toolkits were perceived as ill-defined, practical resources,
helping users put knowledge into practice. Participants reported overwhelming cynicism
towards them yet felt obliged to produce them. Phase 1 themes supported Phase 2, where
the impact agenda perpetuates KM product development as stand-alone interventions
instead of a broader KM strategy. Cross case analysis revealed themes influencing
the potential to move KM products from ‘designated boundary objects’ to ‘boundary
objects in use’: need (ranging from unclear to identified gap), audience (ill-defined
to clear), team dynamic (dysfunctional to collaborative), leadership ((dis)engaged),
project management (chaotic to clear) stakeholder engagement (tokenism to co-production),
and product (ill-defined to boundary object-in-use). KM products were characterised
as symbolic boundary objects, used as bargaining chips with funders or research subjects.
Conclusion
To optimise the potential application of KM products, researchers and funders should
consider the motivation for their development. Where developing such a product is
felt, potentially, to make a meaningful impact in practice, carefully planning stakeholder
engagement, collaboration and project management might enhance their impact.
Acknowledgements
Charlotte A Sharp is supported by the National Institute for Health Research Collaboration
for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (NIHR CLAHRC) Greater Manchester.
The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR,
the NHS or the Department of Health and Social Care.
O13 Of distribution and drift, the role of everyday technologies in the implementation
of care bundles
Charlotte Overton
Centre for Health Innovation Leadership and Learning, Nottingham University Business
School, University of Nottingham, UK
Correspondence: Charlotte Overton (charlotte.overton@nottingham.ac.uk)
Background
In the NHS there are challenges regarding the implementation, sustainability and spread
of quality improvement innovations [1]. Technology in practice offers a useful theoretical
perspective to explore the implementation of quality-improvement tools. By applying
this perspective, tools are viewed as everyday technologies that play an active part
in healthcare as opposed to being inanimate objects in the form of paper- based or
computer-based tools [2, 3].
Method
This study sought to systematically and critically examine the role quality-improvement
tools play in healthcare organisations. Using sepsis as an example, the study explored
two comparative case studies of implementation strategies used to improve the recognition
and treatment of sepsis. Ethnographic observation in the Emergency Department (ED),
ward settings and relevant meetings (200 hours), semi-structured interviews (60) and
documentary analysis were used. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results
The empirical findings showed that when implemented there was a gap between tools
and practice which was crossed by a chain of re-representations. Each re-representation
contained a multitude of actions and decisions that were; highly distributed across
a range of heterogeneous entities such as the tool itself, healthcare workers and
equipment. This resulted in workarounds and various elements drifting from the original
intention of the tools. For example, using the tool in the ED was different compared
to the acute inpatient setting. In the ED work practices were directed towards the
recognition and treatment of acute illness. Conversely, in acute inpatient settings
work practices were directed towards a multitude of other activities.
Conclusion
This research provides valuable insights into where distribution and drift occur.
The findings contribute towards an understanding of the mechanisms by which improvement
programmes work. An understanding of the role that tools play when used in practice
can lead to more efficient and effective implementation, sustainability and spread
of quality improvement innovations.
Acknowledgements Professors Justin Waring and Stephen Timmons and Dr Emma Rowley for
their supervision of this PhD.
References
1. Horton T., Illingworth J., Warburton W. The spread challenge. The Health Foundation.
2018
2. Berg M. Of Forms, Containers and the Electronic Medical Record: some tools for
a sociology of the formal. Science Technology and Human Values. 1998; 22: 403-433.
3. Allen D. From polyformacy to formacology. BMJ Quality and Safety. 2017. 26: 695-697.
P14 Implementation Science Research Development (ImpRes) Tool Protocol Assessment
Criteria (ImpResPAC): Development and Evaluation
Chloe Sweetnam, Lucy Goulding, Louise Hull
Centre for Implementation Science, Department of Health Service and Population Research,
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, United
Kingdom
Correspondence: Lucy Goulding (lucy.goulding@kcl.ac.uk) & Louise Hull (louise.hull@kcl.ac.uk)
Background
The Implementation science Research development (ImpRes) tool and supplementary guide
have been developed to provide guidelines on how to design high-quality implementation
science research [1]. ImpRes did not include quantitative assessment criteria for
evaluating the quality of implementation science protocols: these were developed in
this study to identify strengths and weaknesses in implementation science research
protocols and make recommendations to address current deficits in implementation research
design.
Method
This study developed ‘Implementation science Research development tool Protocol Assessment
Criteria’ (ImpResPAC), a protocol scoring system, to quantitatively evaluate implementation
science protocols for information provided on five out of the 10 ImpRes domains: research
characteristics, implementation theory frameworks and models, implementation strategies,
implementation outcomes, and unintended consequences. ImpResPAC was applied to 16
implementation science protocols, published in Implementation Science, to identify
strengths and weaknesses of planned implementation science research.
Results
The majority of protocols scored highly on describing the research gap, but few differentiated
between the implementation activities associated with each implementation stage. Although
most protocols provided strong rationale for the choice of theory, framework and model
underpinning the research, many lacked thorough application throughout the implementation
research. In most cases, the implementation strategy was explicitly described and
justified. Many protocols described the intention to measure fidelity, but few intended
to measure appropriateness, acceptability, penetration and sustainability. Only two
of the protocols intended to measure unintended consequences. The reliability of ImpResPAC
was evaluated by conducting intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) tests on a subset
of protocols and demonstrated agreement of 0.85 (ICC).
Conclusion
The application of ImpResPAC to 16 protocols identified strengths and weaknesses in
research design. Furthermore, ImpResPAC presents a reliable scoring system that researchers,
funders and decision-makers can use as a learning tool to self-assess implementation
science research protocol quality.
Reference
1. King’s Improvement Science, Implementation Science Research Development (ImpRes)
tool and guide. Available from: http://www.kingsimprovementscience.org/ImpRes [accessed
1st April 2019].
P15 Scaling up a polypharmacy Action Learning Sets tool: interim findings and methodological
insights
Cindy F. Brooks1, Anastasios Argyropoulos1, Catherine B. Matheson-Monnet1, Richard
Guerrero-Luduena1, David Kryl1,2, Ruth George2, Vicki Rowse2 and Clare Howard2
1 Centre for Implementation Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; 2
Wessex Academic Health Science Network, Southampton, UK
Correspondence: Cindy F. Brooks (C.F.Brooks@soton.ac.uk)
Background
In line with national policy, to address the issues associated with inappropriate
polypharmacy, the Centre for Implementation Science are evaluating the implementation
of a Wessex Academic Health Science Network led Action Learning Sets (ALS) tool, to
improve healthcare practitioners’ confidence, perceptions and experiences of stopping
inappropriate medicines safely.
Methods
Up to 125 healthcare practitioners attending ALS across three localities in the South
of England are being invited to participate in the study. A mixed method approach
involving pre-post ALS questionnaires, evaluation forms and observational methods,
will be used to evaluate the study.
To date, interim findings have been analysed from one locality (n=33), and methodological
insights recorded which relate to the prospective scale up and evaluation of the ALS
across two further localities. Quantitative paired pre-post ALS questionnaire responses
were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, whilst qualitative data were analysed
using thematic analysis and ethnographic methods. Overall impact of the ALS will be
evaluated using Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model.
Results
Interim findings show the ALS has contributed to improving perceptions, confidence
and experiences in addressing polypharmacy and more specifically perceptions of; stopping
inappropriate medicines, use of knowledge, information and tools, shared decision
making with patients/clinicians and the role of institutional factors. Methodological
insights relating to the scale-up of the ALS across two further localities include
the impact of locality upon participation, as well as the process of engagement of
participants in the evaluation.
Conclusion
Interim findings and methodological insights in scaling up the study may be of relevance
to national policy to understand how to address polypharmacy issues in different localities.
P16 The Life Link Clinic: Meeting the socio-economic needs of patients and families
within complex rehabilitation in-patient services
Claire Hendry1,2,3, Clarissa Giebel3,4, Tim Villanueva1,2,5, Nicola Hill1,6, Thomas
Spearitt1,2, Lea Johnson1,5, Clare Moore1,2, Jon Smith1,2,5,6, Siobhan Mealey7, Peter
Bailey3, Jennifer Bailey3, Heather Burnage1,2, Michelle Hughes1,2,6, Maria Moyo1,2
1The Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation
Trust, Liverpool, UK; 2 The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK; 3 NIHR
CLAHRC North West Coast, Institute of Population Health Sciences, University of Liverpool,
Liverpool, UK; 4 Institute of Population Health Sciences, University of Liverpool;
Liverpool, UK; 5 The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust,
Liverpool, UK; 6St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust, Merseyside, UK; 7 The Brain Charity,
Liverpool, UK
Correspondence: Claire Hendry (Claire.hendry@thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk)
Background
Feedback from patients and families in complex rehabilitation services highlighted
that socio-economic issues increased their stress and anxiety levels. In response,
an integrated provision is being piloted within complex rehabilitation inpatient settings
under the umbrella of the Cheshire and Merseyside rehabilitation network. This service
aims to offer a multi-agency approach to support patients with any socioeconomic issues,
to help reduce stress and anxiety, to promote integrated accessible support.
Method
We conducted sixteen Semi-structured interviews with staff and service users to evaluate
the existing three services and improve the implementation of the two new sites. Using
the DASS 21 and the NHS family and friends test, service users are asked to provide
feedback on the service and rate their stress and anxiety before and after accessing
the service. Staff and service users’ perception of the service is also collected
through semi-structured interviews. Using a mixed method analysis, the semi-structured
interviews were thematically analysed and paired t-test utilised to compare changes
in pre- and post- data.
Results
Interviews indicated that this support was considered essential, which helped to improve
the two new sites implemented since December 2018. The service evaluation is on-going.
Preliminary analysis suggests that stress levels in families are above the ranges
which we see in patients on admission to the acute rehabilitation setting. Using information
from the staff questionnaire, socio-economic issues encountered by patients, carers,
and families were mapping across the main themes raised when accessing the service.
This reflected that the service was meeting the needs of patients and families.
Conclusion
Findings from the evaluation of this implementation of two new sites and five in total
across the North West Coast region can help to identify the benefits of this service
to people with complex brain injuries and their families in terms of their social
needs.
O17 Evaluation of implementation of high-throughput Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing
(NIPT) for foetal RHD genotype testing: results of a survey of maternity units in
England, supplemented by expert elicitation findings
Edyta Ryczek1, Judith White1, Grace Carolan-Rees1
1Cedar, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff, United Kingdom
Correspondence: Edyta Ryczek (edyta.ryczek@wales.nhs.uk)
Background
An RhD-negative mother carrying an RhD-positive foetus is at high risk of sensitisation
which can be reduced by administration of Routine Antenatal Anti-D Prophylaxis (RAADP).
However, approximately 33% of women carry an RhD-negative baby and do not need RAADP
[1]. In 2016, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended Non-Invasive
Prenatal Testing (NIPT) for foetal RHD genotype as a cost-effective option to guide
RAADP in the United Kingdom and established research recommendations investigated
in this study1. The aim of the study was to evaluate the implementation of high-throughput
NIPT for foetal RHD genotype in maternity units in England, the United Kingdom.
Method
A survey evaluating the implementation, antenatal care, uptake of the new test, RAADP
adherence and postpartum care was sent to 39 Hospital Trusts in England. Topics which
required further investigation were explored during qualitative interviews with seven
clinicians chosen based on their geographical location. Test results from all hospitals
in the United Kingdom which offer the new testing strategy are included.
Results
Nurses and midwives were most likely to have received training organised internally
within a Trust. The new service is not expected to incur extra costs. Cost savings
include reduction in Anti-D use, Anti-D quantification, and samples testing (cord
blood typing, the Kleihauer test). RAADP appointments are shorter or not required
which balances the extra time needed during the initial appointments. The frequency
of positive, negative and inconclusive results is 55.9%, 34.5% and 4.3%, respectively.
Neither the uptake of NIPT for foetal RHD genotype nor adherence to RAADP is routinely
monitored. Trusts described using four different postpartum testing strategies.
Conclusion
NIPT for foetal RHD genotype fits well within the existing patient pathway. The success
of implementation of the new testing was associated with good working relationship
between staff and organisation of work within the department.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Dr James Evans, Ruth Poole, Kathleen Withers,
Dr Laura Knight and Dr Helen Morgan for their contribution to the study design, management
and/or revision of the paper.
References
1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. High-throughput non-invasive
prenatal testing for foetal RHD genotype. NICE diagnostic guidance 25; 2016.
O18 Developing a scaling up plan for quality improvement training in urological surgery
Elena Pallari1,2, Zarnie Khadjesari1,3, James Green4 and Nick Sevdalis1
1 King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN),
Centre for Implementation Science (CIS), Health Service and Population Research Department,
London, UK; 2 MRC Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London,
UK; 3 School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park,
Norwich, UK; 4 Bart’s NHS Trust, Whipps Cross Hospital, Urological Department, London,
UK
Correspondence: Elena Pallari (elena.pallari@kcl.ac.uk)
Background
The education in quality improvement programme (EQUIP) for urology aims to address
the need for an evidence-based curriculum in quality improvement (QI) methods training
in surgery. Key goal of EQUIP is to be nationally scalable in the UK. Here we present
the development of the EQUIP scale-up strategy.
Methods
The strategy was developed using evidence triangulation from mixed-methods studies:
evidence-based curriculum development (evidence reviews), national gap analysis (qualitative
data), and programme piloting at two UK sites for feasibility and effectiveness (quantitative
data). The collected data involved a range of stakeholders: training programme directors
and trainers as well urology trainees, and a steering group which included educational
practitioners, patient representatives, trainees and consultant urologists. Further,
we framed the implementation model of the scale up plan based on the Exploration,
Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework (Fig 1).
Results
We identified prioritization challenges, Trust resources, and time commitments as
the greatest barriers towards the scale-up of EQUIP, while structured approaches to
QI work as the drivers towards developing an educational platform in QI techniques,
a network to support undertaking QI work and creating a QI infrastructure.
Conclusion
This study offers an empirical and theoretical understanding of how to scale-up the
EQUIP programme nationally in the UK. Based on the study, the scale-up strategy involves
national stakeholder support; an IT platform; nationally shared training materials;
and a train-the-trainers programme. The scale-up strategy will be evaluated further
in the coming 2 years of EQUIP implementation and will be used to guide potential
diffusion across other specialities.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Training Programme Directors of each region, the
trainers on the course and the Urology Surgery trainees who took part in the study.
Funding
This research work was supported from funding by The Urology Foundation and The Schroders
Foundation. EP/NS are supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South London at King’s
College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The views expressed are those of the authors
and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
Figure 1 (abstract 018).
Empirical model of the scale-up plan using the EPIS framework and the conceptual phases
and factors affecting implementation in QI training for urological surgery
O19 The development and application of a logic model to translate an established Perioperative
medicine for Older People undergoing Surgery (POPS) service to a novel setting
Emily Jasper1, Nick Sevdalis2, R de las Casas1, C Meilak3, A Whittle3, Judith SL Partridge1,
Jugdeep K Dhesi1
1 Perioperative medicine for Older People undergoing Surgery (POPS) Service, Guy’s
St Thomas Trust NHS, London, UK; 2 Centre for Implementation Science, Kings College
London, London, UK; 3 Perioperative medicine for Older People undergoing Surgery (POPS),
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, Kent, UK
Correspondence: Emily Jasper (emily.jasper@gstt.nhs.uk)
Background
Older people are at higher risk of adverse perioperative outcome in comparison to
younger patients and the need for geriatrician involvement in surgical pathways is
advocated. An evidenced-based method of improving care for older surgical patients
has been developed and embedded at Guy’s & St Thomas Trust (GSTT) and is being replicated
nationally [1-5]. There is a call for scale up of Perioperative medicine for Older
People undergoing Surgery (POPS) services but this requires a systematic approach
[6]. A logic model is a critical initiating step to begin the scale up process with
fidelity [7,8].
Method
Thirteen clinical and safety implementation experts were recruited to participate
in three sessions to develop the POPS logic model. Guided by literature review and
consensus, the model was constructed through mapping themes against core components
of the Kellogg Logic Model Guide [8]. The model was applied and evaluated at Darent
Valley Hospital (POPS@DVH).
Results
The logic model was used to design, develop, iterate and embed POPS@DVH. Over 18 months
the new service resulted in improvements in process measures reductions in length
of stay (-2.58 days) and readmission rates (-12%). Other key outcomes included improved
documentation of medical complications (eg. improved delirium diagnosis from 0 to
21%) and comorbidities, translating to improved patient care and hospital coding.
Stakeholder engagement was actively sought throughout this process, with high satisfaction
noted from surgical teams, junior doctors and patients. The overall success of POPS@DVH
was reflected in substantive surgical directorate funding allowing sustainability.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the clinical utility of a logic model in facilitating successful
scale up of an established POPS service into a novel setting. Further work would involve
refinement of this logic model to establish a relevant and sustainable framework for
a wider POPS scale up.
References
1. Ellis G, Whitehead M, O’Neill D, Langhorne P, Robinson D. Comprehensive geriatric
assessment for older adults admitted to hospital (Review). Cochrane Library. 2011;
7.
2. Braude P, Goodman A, Elias T, Babic-Illman G, Challacombe B, Harari D, Dhesi J.
Evaluation and establishment of a ward-based geriatric liaison service for older urological
surgical patients: POPS-Urology (Proactive Care of Older People Undergoing Surgery).
BJU International. 2016; 120:123-129.
3. Partridge J, Harari D, Martin F, Peacock J, Bell R, Mohammed A, Dhesi J. Randomised
clinical trial of comprehensive geriatric assessment and optimisation in vascular
surgery. BJS Society. 2017; 104:679-98.
4. Vilches-Moraga A, Fox J. Geriatricians and the older emergency general surgical
patient: proactive assessment and patient centred interventions - Salford-POP-GS.
Aging Clinical and Experimental research. 2018; 30:277-282.
5. Joughin A, Partridge J, O’Halloran T, Dhesi J. Where are we now in perioperative
medicine? Results from a repeated UK survey of geriatric medicine delivered services
for older people. Age and Aging; 2019; 0:1-4
6. Horton T, Illingworth J, Warburton W. The Spread Challenge – How to support the
successful uptake of innovations and improvements in health care [Internet]. 2018
[Cited 25th Feb 2019]. Available from: https://www.health.org.uk/publications/the-spread-challenge
7. Medical Research Council. Developing and evaluating complex interventions [Internet].
2019 [cited 28th April 2019]. Available from: www.mrc.ac.uk/complexinterventionsguidance
8. W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Logic Model Development Guide [Internet]. 2004 [cited
22 February 2019]. Available from: https://www.wkkf.org/resource-directory/resource/2006/02/wk-kellogg-foundation-logic-model-development-guide
O20 A systematic review and synthesis of facilitators and barriers to the implementation
of evidence-based practices to support physiological labour and birth in obstetric
settings
Florence Darling, Christine McCourt and Martin Cartwright
City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
Correspondence: Florence Darling (florence.darling@city.ac.uk)
Background
One of the biggest challenges facing health-care professionals who care for women
in labour and birth are decisions about the appropriate use of clinical interventions.
Interventions for example caesarean-sections or instrumental births are necessary
when problems arise, however routine use increases mortality and morbidity. We undertook
a systematic review of studies to explore facilitators and barriers to the implementation
of evidence-based practices to support physiological labour and birth, an important
initiative, to reduce routine intervention use. We reviewed studies that explored
practices in obstetric setting where routine intervention use is higher compared to
midwife-led settings.
Method
Using PRISMA guidelines [1], databases was searched from 1990 to September 2018 and
31 original studies were included for thematic synthesis [2]. Analytic themes that
were theoretically informed enabled us to explore facilitators and barrier at a micro
level (obstetricians, midwives and women) and meso level (organisation) to implementing
EBPs to support physiological labour and birth.
Results
The synthesis showed that prevalent risk perceptions of birth are an important barrier.
This informed an approach based on risk surveillance and active management of labour.
Obstetricians who hold strong risk perceptions of birth exert control over other professionals
to apply a risk-based approach. An important barrier is their reluctance to relinquish
this power. Approaches cognisant with EBPs to support physiological labour and birth
is muted. Midwifery acquiesces, obstetric and midwifery preoccupation with risk surveillance
and rationalisation of intervention use are important barriers. Women expect interventions
to shape birth experiences. Centralisation of labour care sustains a risk-based approach.
Facilitators included collaborative working by obstetricians and midwives to implement
evidence-based practices, midwifery involvement in decision-making and organisational
efforts to enhance midwifery autonomy
Conclusion
Future research should explore obstetrician’s reluctance to relinquish power, factors
that facilitate collaborative working between professional groups, organisational
influences and women’s experiences in obstetric settings.
Registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Ref: CRD42017081891)
References
1. Shamseer L, Moher D, Clarke M, Ghersi D, Liberati A, Petticrew M, et al. Preferred
reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015:
elaboration and explanation. BMJ: British Medical Journal. 2015;349(jan02): g7647.
2. Thomas J, Harden A. Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research
in systematic reviews. BMC medical research methodology 2008;8 (1):45.
P21 Evaluation of a Physical Health Plan for people with psychosis: Protocol for a
Quality Improvement study
Julie Williams1, Nick Sevdalis2, Fiona Gaughran3,4
1 Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology
and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London , UK; 2 Centre for Implementation
Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London,
London, UK; 3 Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience,
King’s College London, London, UK; 4 National Psychosis Service, South London and
Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Correspondence: Julie Williams (julie.williams@kcl.ac.uk)
Background
People with serious mental illness (SMI) have poorer physical health compared to the
general population. Reasons for this are complex but include the identification and
treatment of physical health conditions. Creating tools to support people with SMI
to assume more control of their physical health may help to ameliorate some of these
problems. This study evaluates the use of a service user-held Physical health plan
(PHP) for service users to determine whether its use increases uptake of physical
health services.
Method
We have undertaken a pilot quality improvement study to test the use of the PHP [1].
This included testing a Theory of Change using focus groups with service users and
staff and evaluating the use of the PHP in two community mental health teams using
the RE-AIM implementation framework to guide the evaluation using qualitative and
quantitative measures to do this (eg collecting data on how many people used the PHP,
if they required support, if there was a change to uptake in physical health services,
measuring Patient Activation)
Results
Focus groups were run with staff and service users before the pilot started which
led to some change to the PHP and how it was used. 27 service users have completed
the PHP. Participants have found it easy to use and were able to identify physical
health needs. These were shared with clinical staff. Follow-up is ongoing which will
include interviews with service users and clinical staff to elicit their views on
using the PHP. Analysis of the implementation outcomes using the RE-aim framework
is ongoing.
Conclusion
This study used an implementation framework to test a novel intervention for people
with SMI. Participants found the PHP easy to use and analysis will help us to evaluate
the success of the intervention and whether a larger-scale definitive RCT is warranted.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to all the service users, carers and academic and clinical staff who took
part in the initial stages of the development of the PHP. Special thanks to the two
service users who ran the focus groups.
This study/project is supported by the Maudsley Charity and the National Institute
for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research
and Care South London (NIHR CLAHRC South London) at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation
Trust. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of
the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03178279. Registered date: 05/06/2017
Reference
1. Williams, J. Sevdalis, N. Gaughran, F. Evaluation of a Physical health plan for
people with psychosis: a protocol for a quality improvement study. Pilot and Feasibility
Studies. 2019, 5.8.
P22 Measuring success of quality improvement in a mental health NHS Foundation Trust
Kia-Chong Chua1, 2, Barbara Grey2, Michael Holland2, Claire Henderson1, Nick Sevdalis1
1Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, SE5 8AF,
UK; 2South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, SE5 8AZ, UK
Correspondence: Kia-Chong Chua (kia-chong.chua@kcl.ac.uk)
Background
Quality Improvement (QI) in healthcare is widespread [1] with diverse projects and
target outcomes [2]. Success rates are highly variable, often with disappointing results
[3]. Existing guidance on QI evaluation [4] does not aid organisational reporting
on the impact of QI [5]. We aim to develop a framework for measuring success of QI
to aid organisational learning and shed light on capacity building needs and resource
allocation priorities in South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust.
Method
A scoping exercise was conducted by an academic faculty (KC) who is embedded as a
researcher-in-residence in SLaM. With combined inputs from QI team in SLaM and academic
colleagues in Centre for Implementation Science as well as a rapid evidence scan,
we designed a survey for retrospective summative assessment. A generic input-process-output
framework was used for the survey to overcome the difficulty of making comparisons
when project-specific aims and outcomes were heterogeneous and highly localised. Each
QI team member then identified 3-5 “successful” and “unsuccessful” QI projects to
create a gradient of contrast for small but rapid gains in learning about pertinent
factors of QI success. We did not formally operationalise the definition of success
in the survey so as to understand “work-as-done” rather than imposing a “work-as-imagined”
criteria in the absence of an established definition of QI success [6]. Logistic regression
was used to compare the impact of contextual, input and process factors on whether
projects achieved their aims.
Results
Among 52 QI projects across five boroughs of London, 12 achieved their aims. Contextual
and input factors showed very little impact. In contrast, process factors like stakeholder
engagement and measurement plan showed sizable impact on whether projects achieved
their aims.
Conclusion
Measurement plan and data quality matters more than contextual and input factors in
determining success of QI.
References
1. Kaplan HC, Provost LP, Froehle CM, Margolis PA: The Model for Understanding Success
in Quality (MUSIQ): building a theory of context in healthcare quality improvement.
BMJ Qual Saf 2012, 21(1):13-20.
2. Chassin MR, Loeb JM: The ongoing quality improvement journey: next stop, high reliability.
Health Aff (Millwood) 2011, 30(4):559-568.
3. Dixon-Woods M, Martin GP: Does quality improvement improve quality? Future Hospital
Journal 2016, 3(3):191-194.
4. Parry G, Coly A, Goldmann D, Rowe AK, Chattu V, Logiudice D, Rabrenovic M, Nambiar
B: Practical recommendations for the evaluation of improvement initiatives. Int J
Qual Health Care 2018, 30(suppl_1):29-36.
5. Morganti KG, Lovejoy S, Haviland AM, Haas AC, Farley DO: Measuring success for
health care quality improvement interventions. Med Care 2012, 50(12):1086-1092.
6. Hollnagel E: Why is work-as-imagined different from work-as-done? In: Resilient
Health Care. Volume 2, edn. Edited by Wears RL, Hollnagel E. London: CRC Press; 2017.
P23 Provider training and implementation of newborn care interventions at facilities
in Malawi: a secondary analysis of Service Provision Assessment survey data
Kimberly Peven1, Debra Bick2, Edward Purssell3, Lindsay Mallick4, Cath Taylor5
1Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, Kings College
London, London, UK; 2 Department of Women and Children’s Health, School of Life Course
Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, UK ; 3 School
of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK; 4 Avenir Health, Rockville,
MD, USA ; 5 School of Health Sciences, University of Surrey, UK
Correspondence: Kimberly Peven (Kimberly.peven@kcl.ac.uk)
Background
In Malawi, most newborns have contact with health service in the first days of life,
however, coverage of comprehensive newborn care remains low. National efforts have
been made to improve and scale up provider training in newborn care. We aimed to evaluate
the associations between provider training in newborn care and interventions implemented
in practice at facilities in Malawi.
Methods
Using data from the 2013-14 Service Provision Assessment survey in Malawi, we employed
ordinal and logistic regression models to evaluate the associations between training
and observed newborn interventions, adjusting for facility and provider factors. Data
included 1294 providers, 527 facilities and 474 observed births.
Results
Newborn care providers reported attending trainings covering on average 4.7 (95%CI=4.5,5.0)
themes in their career and 2.6 (95%CI=2.4,2.8) themes in the past two years out of
14 training themes included in the survey (Figure 1). Following births observed at
facilities, providers implemented on 6.9 (95%CI=6.6,7.2) of 12 recommended interventions.
Preliminary analyses did not show an association between number of recent training
themes attended by a provider and the number of interventions implemented after birth
(AOR=1.05,95%CI=0.98,1.12), however for every additional recent training theme attended,
providers were 8% (AOR=1.08,95%CI=1.02,1.16) more likely to implement more than the
mean number of interventions.
Conclusions
While newborn care providers in Malawi reported attending recent trainings on newborn
care, the relationship between recent training and improved practice is not clear.
More research is required to understand drivers of improved newborn care following
provider training and scale-up coverage of comprehensive newborn care.
Figure 1 (abstract 23).
Number of newborn care training themes received among providers ever having received
newborn care training
O24 Knowledge brokering in a public mental health program: does sharing knowledge
derived from implementation science help to improve outcomes?
Kristian G. Hudson, Rebecca Lawton, Siobhan Hugh-Jones
School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
Correspondence: Kristian G. Hudson (kgharvey@gmail.com)
Background
Schools need mental health interventions that are deliverable, scalable and effective.
However, rates of successful implementation of evidence-based practices in schools
is low. An underpinning factor is lack of understanding, and attention, by commissioners,
providers and schools, to evidence about what works to bolster effective and sustained
implementation. Knowledge brokering is one way to improve use of implementation science
in program delivery in complex settings. To date, evidence for the use of KBs in public
health settings is scarce, and their use for brokering implementation related knowledge
is non-existent.
The aim of this study was to examine whether it was feasible and acceptable for knowledge
about implementation to be brokered to a steering group responsible for a wide scale,
public mental health, school-based intervention, and what impact this might have on
their implementation decisions.
Methods
The primary researcher attended 13 (3 hrs each) monthly steering group meetings during
the initial implementation phase of the public mental health program and shared implementation
knowledge with them.
With consent, meeting notes were taken by the primary researcher, and a journal kept
of 12 meetings; 5 meetings were also audio recorded and SG minutes referred to. All
data were amalgamated and ordered into month-by-month summaries. The analysis attempted
to identify when implementation knowledge was shared with the group (coded a ‘key
moment’) and what the steering group did with this knowledge (coded a ‘key outcome’).
Results
Over the 13 meetings, 15 key moments led to 14 key outcomes, 10 of which involved
implementation decisions being made based on brokered knowledge about implementation
science (Figure 1). Some brokered knowledge was not acted upon.
Conclusions
Knowledge brokering on implementation science to a group responsible for public mental
health is feasible and acceptable, although this may have been promoted by the strong
research culture amongst steering group members.
Figure 1 (abstract 24).
Key moments and Key Outcomes from sharing implementation science knowledge with the
SG
O25 Withdrawn
P26 Withdrawn
P27 Rapid testing of service innovations in general practice: an evaluation of the
Primary Care Home model in Newham
Darren Sharpe and Lauren Herlitz
Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London, Water Lane,
London, UK
Correspondence: Lauren Herlitz (l.herlitz@uel.ac.uk)
Background
In Autumn 2018, Newham Clinical Commissioning (CCG) group piloted two service enhancements
to groups of six general practices under the national Primary Care Home (PCH) programme:
1) managing in-hours demand for doctors’ appointments through online triage, care
navigation, and additional GP hours shared between practices, and 2) a complex case
(CC) management team for patients with multiple co-morbidities. The evaluation aimed
to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the PCH model and identify factors
that could affect the roll-out of services across the Borough.
Method
A mixed-methods, formative process evaluation was carried out between December 2018
and May 2019: 1) routinely collected data, 2) interviews and focus groups with practitioners,
deliverers and a patient participation group, 3) anonymised patient questionnaires,
4) web analytics, 5) document analysis. Normalization Process Theory [1] informed
the development of research tools and analysis.
Results
In relation to managing in-hours demand, practices utilised to capacity the additional
GP hours provided by locum doctors; this service enhancement was well-received by
practices and patients alike. The implementation of online triage and care navigation
was mixed, working most successfully in practices that were fully committed to embedding
the approach and tackling challenges that arose. Although the CC management service
was viewed positively by attending patients, particularly in addressing unmet social
care needs, there was low uptake of the service by patients and carers, and practices
did not ‘buy-in’ to the service within the pilot timeframe.
Conclusion
Within six months, the tested PCH models helped to widen access to GPs and stimulated
partnership working ahead of the implementation of mandated Primary Care Networks,
as envisaged in the NHS Long Term Plan. Securing the commitment of practices to joint
working and ongoing communication work between all stakeholder groups was crucial
to the success of the model.
Acknowledgements
This evaluation was funded by NHS Newham Clinical Commissioning Group and was supported
by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership
in Applied Health Research and Care North Thames at Bart’s Health NHS Trust (NIHR
CLAHRC North Thames). The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s)
and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, or the Department of Health and Social
Care
Reference
1. May C, Finch T. Implementing, embedding, and integrating practices: an outline
of Normalization Process Theory. Sociology. 2009; 43(3):535-554.
P28 Developing and scaling up a strategy for patient and public involvement in the
Centre for Implementation Science and King’s Improvement Science
Len Demetriou
1
, Josephine Ocloo
2
, Lucy Goulding
1
, Barbora Krausova
1
& Louise Hull
3
1King’s Improvement Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience,
King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, UK; 2Centre for Implementation Science,
King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, UK; 3Centre for Implementation Science
& King’s Improvement Science, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, UK
Correspondence: Len Demetriou (helena.demetriou@kcl.ac.uk)
Background
The Centre for Implementation Science (CIS) and King’s Improvement Science (KIS) carried
out patient and public involvement (PPI) activities separately until 2017 when both
teams identified the need for more consistent models of PPI, so merged efforts to
develop an overarching PPI strategy for the Centre that would be co-produced with
members of the public living and/or using health services in South London.
The first workshop in September 2017 brought together 17 members of the public and
17 Centre staff to answer the question ‘How can we best include and involve people
in the work of the CIS and KIS?’
This poster describes how we have scaled-up our PPI strategy, what we have achieved,
and lessons learnt.
Method
Ideas from the initial workshop were developed and scaled up using several methods
to co-produce our PPI strategy.
These include:
Consensus building methodology (used to facilitate the first workshop)
Focus groups and consultation meetings to action and develop ideas collaboratively
Ensuring we strive to include diverse members of the public throughout all stages
Results
Our achievements showcase how we have implemented our PPI strategy from ‘ideas’ to
actionable achievable results.
These include:
Setting up the Public Involvement Advisory Panel to offer expertise and advise from
public members to staff on projects within the Centre
Two public members recruited to our working group which oversees the operational running
of the strategy
A monthly Involvement Bulletin to keep in contact with public members, build positive
working relationships and offer opportunities to get involved
A guidance document being co-developed to offer advice and information for staff in
the Centre on how best to carry out PPI activities
Conclusion
We have developed multiple ways to include public voices throughout the work of the
Centre, striving for parity between academic and public members and we continue to
move forward with public involvement that is not tokenistic, but trying to reach ‘beyond
the usual suspects’ [1].
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank everyone, past and present, who have been involved in developing
the strategy. We are especially grateful to all our public members for their time,
invaluable expertise and contributions and for sharing their experiences and knowledge
with us.
Reference
1. Beresford, P. 2013, Beyond the Usual Suspects. Shaping Our Lives Press.
P29 Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and COM-B model based implementation study
of a school-based, toothbrushing complex intervention
Min-Ching Wang1,2, Wei Han Chen 2
1Department of Stomatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 2 Department
of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
Correspondence: Min-Ching Wang (showmerry@hotmail.com)
Background
The school-based supervised toothbrushing program with fluoride toothpaste twice a
day medical demand in the most deprived cohort of children. Health inequalities were
decreased as well [1]. However, the implementation of a school-based brushing program
is not merely based on oral hygiene instructions. Knowledge transfer has shown little
effect on behaviour change. Changing behaviour requires an understanding of the context
which behaviours occur [2]. The multifactorial nature of human behaviour made it difficult
to evaluate this program through traditional randomized controlled trials. Therefore,
we used a qualitative study design to analyse the potential facilitators and barriers
in this complex intervention program [3].
Method
Focus groups and semi-structure interviews were used to collect the ideas from the
elementary school students, teachers, and staff in this program. The topic guides
were developed according to the Theoretical domains framework combined with COM-B
Model. Data were analyzed with a content analysis approach.
Results
A sustainable environment which could encourage brushing behaviour was important.
Toothbrush and toothpaste need to be supplied, and a set brushing schedule should
be arranged. Brushing became a daily routine. Students may supervise each other brushing
without the teachers’ help. Opportunity in COM-B model, instead of motivation or capability,
was the key theme to implement the school-based brushing program.
Conclusion
Future studies will re-evaluate the program and develop a logic model in order to
transfer the toothbrushing program to other schools.
Acknowledgements
This publication is independent research. The school-based toothbrushing program is
funded and supported by Taiwan Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Give2Asia organization
References
1. Anopa Y, McMahon AD, Conway DI, Ball GE, McIntosh E, Macpherson LM. Improving Child
Oral Health: Cost Analysis of a National Nursery Toothbrushing Programme. PloS one.
2015;10(8):e0136211.
2. Michie S, Johnston M, Abraham C, Lawton R, Parker D, Walker A. Making psychological
theory useful for implementing evidence based practice: a consensus approach. Quality
and Safety in Health Care. 2005;14(1):26-33.
3. Atkins L, Francis J, Islam R, O'Connor D, Patey A, Ivers N, et al. A guide to using
the Theoretical Domains Framework of behaviour change to investigate implementation
problems. Implement Sci. 2017;12(1):77.
O30 Use of the World Health Organisation Surgical Safety Checklist in Low and Middle
Income Countries: A Systematic Review of Implementation Strategies Used and Outcomes
Reported
Olivia Clancy1, Ijeoma Okonkwo1, Kimberly Peven2, Nick Sevdalis2, Andy Leather3, Stephanie
Russ2 and Michelle White1,2, 3
1Department of Anaesthesia, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK; 2Centre for
Implementation Science, Kings College London, London, UK; 3Centre for Global Health
and Health Partnerships, Kings College London, London, UK
Correspondence: Olivia Clancy (livclancy7@gmail.com)
Background
The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) reduces surgical morbidity and mortality by
50% but is not widely used in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Evidence of
the effectiveness of SSC implementation in LMICs is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to
systematically identify all SSC implementation studies in LMICs, the implementation
strategies used, and critically evaluate success based on implementation outcomes.
Method
We used the PICO framework to design a systematic review of SSC implementation strategies
and reported outcomes in LMICs, registering the study on PROSPERO. 73 strategies and
8 outcomes were pre-defined according to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing
Change and Proctor’s implementation outcome framework respectively.
Results
We identified 1562 articles and included 45 in analysis. In preliminary analysis:
mean number of strategies employed was 6 (range=0-24); most commonly from the “train
and educate stakeholders” cluster (n=29) and least commonly from the “engage consumers”
cluster (n=0) (Figure 1). Most commonly reported implementation outcomes were fidelity
and penetration. Average penetration was 85% (95%CI=77%,90%) and average fidelity
(adherence to basic safety measures) was 82%(95%CI=76%, 86%). SSC use was associated
with reduced mortality (RR=0.72,95%CI=0.63,0.82) and morbidity (RR=0.58,95%CI=0.47,0.72).
Mean implementation strategy importance ratings were associated with increased fidelity
and penetration but this was not statistically significant.
Conclusion
This systematic review identified wide variation in implementation strategies used
and outcomes reported in LMICs. Successful implementation showed a non-statistically
significant association with mean strategy importance rating, as well as an association
with improved clinical outcomes.
Figure 1 (abstract 030).
Implementation strategies, implementation outcomes, and clinical outcomes
O31 Scaling up the Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury Care Bundle – Evaluation of clinical
and implementation effectiveness of a national quality improvement project to reduce
severe perineal trauma sustained during childbirth
Posy Bidwell1, Ranee Thakar2, Ipek Gurol-Urganci3, Louise Silverton4, Alexandra Hellyer1,
Vivienne Novis1 and Nick Sevdalis5
1 Clinical Quality, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, UK;
2 Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Croydon University Hospital, London, UK; 3 Department
of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
London, UK; 4 Royal College of Midwives, London, UK; 5 Health Service & Population
Research, King’s College London, London, UK
Correspondence: Posy Bidwell (pbidwell@rcog.org.uk)
Background
Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI) can severely affect quality of life. In England
OASI rates amongst primiparous women tripled from 1.8% in 2000 to 5.9% in 2011 [1].
Aetiology is multifactorial, however, contributing factors are training inconsistencies,
lack of awareness and variation in practice [1-3]. To address this, the OASI Care
Bundle was developed and supported by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
(RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).
Method
Using a stepped-wedged trial design the intervention was sequentially rolled out every
three months to four regions across England, Scotland and Wales [4]. Each region comprised
of four maternity units of various sizes and types. Local clinical champions (midwives
and obstetricians) cascaded training and educational materials within their units.
Implementation was evaluated using mixed methods. A Theory of Change was developed
to map how the desired reduction in OASI rates was expected to occur. Patient-level
data (October 2016–April 2018) was collected to determine OASI rates pre- and post-
intervention. A qualitative process evaluation examined acceptability, feasibility
and sustainability for clinicians and women.
Results
The OASI rate was 3.3% pre- and 3.0% post-intervention (adjusted OR 0.79 (0.65-0.97),
p=0.03). Most barriers to adoption of the intervention had corresponding enablers.
Data capabilities varied, affecting ability to measure compliance. A heavy training
burden was placed on champions, who had little or no dedicated time for this. Challenging
autonomy and perceptions of women’s wishes created resistance amongst some clinicians.
Success drove further uptake.
Conclusion
Change takes time. Complex topics require good communication and good feedback mechanisms.
Appetite for change and senior buy-in facilitate engagement. Service-user support
is a powerful enabler and women’s involvement is key. Our project increased team cohesion,
which was strengthened by top-level support from the two Royal Colleges. This project
offers a blueprint for effective scale-up of improvement interventions within maternity.
Acknowledgements
Local champions were key to success of the OASI Care Bundle and we are grateful to
them for all their hard work and dedication to improving outcomes for women. The OASI
Care Bundle was fully funded by the Health Foundation.
Trial Registration
The OASI Care Bundle is registered on the ISRCTN registry 10.1186/ISRCTN12143325
References
1. Gurol-Urganci, I., et al., Third- and fourth-degree perineal tears among primiparous
women in England between 2000 and 2012: time trends and risk factors. BJOG, 2013.
120(12): 1516-25.
2. Laine, K., et al., Incidence of obstetric anal sphincter injuries after training
to protect the perineum: cohort study. BMJ Open, 2012. 2(5).
3. Naidu, M., A. Sultan, and R. Thakar, Reducing obstetric anal sphincter injuries
using perineal support a preliminary experience. Int Urogynecol J, 2017. 28: 381-389
4. Bidwell, P. et al. A multi-centre quality improvement project to reduce the incidence
of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI): study protocol. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth.
2018. 18(1):331
O32 Evaluating the uptake of evidence-based guidance and associated determinants to
inform implementation strategies that reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity in pregnant
women with chronic hypertension: a mixed-method multi-centre study
Rebecca Whybrow1, Joanna Girling2, Heather Brown3, Hannah Wilson1, Louise Webster1,
Jane Sandall1, Lucy Chappell1
1. Department of Women and Children’s Health, King’s College London, London, UK; 2.
Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust, London, UK; 3. Brighton and Sussex University NHS
Trust, East Sussex, UK.
Correspondence: Rebecca Whybrow (Rebecca.whybrow@kcl.ac.uk)
Background
Mortality from hypertensives disorders is reducing [1] but morbidity is prevalent
[2]. Uptake of evidence-based guidelines and the associated determinants is unknown.
Method
Convergent parallel multi-method evaluation of evidence uptake and integrated analysis
to inform implementation strategy. National survey, case-notes review, observations
and qualitative interviews at 3 NHS Trusts (2018).
Results
Survey (n=97)
Self-reported compliance with guidelines was high. Absence of anti-hypertensive prescribing
guidance was mimicked by variance in reported practice.
Case-notes (n=55)
100% cessation of teratogenic medication thereafter variance in first-line anti-hypertensive
prescribing existed. Target setting documentation occurred infrequently (56.4%) however
action was taken when blood-pressure exceeded 150/100mmHg (76.5%) resulting in internalised
setting (20%) and absent setting (23.5%). 45.5% of women developed severe hypertension.
Observations (n=23)
Provision of correct amount and type of information to support shared decision-making
(52%). Women’s involvement in decisions (43%) and offered choice of anti-hypertensive
(19%).
Women’s interviews (n=18)
14/18 experienced conflict about hypertension management, conflict resulted in 8/18
non-adhering (fig 1.a). Facilitators to concordant adherence were found to be determined
by ‘trust’ mediated by management of side effects, information and professional’s
approach to women (fig 1.b).
Clinician’s interviews (n=13)
Sub-optimal information was attributed to strength of anti-hypertensive evidence and
lack of guidance. Clinicians also lacked SDM skills and tools. Optimal pathways and
schedules of care are unknown.
Conclusion
Severe hypertension is prevalent. Strategies to reduce associated morbidity should
engender ‘trust’ and improve target setting. Standardised pathways and schedules of
care are required, accompanied by research into safety and effectiveness of anti-hypertensive.
Acknowledgements
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research professorship (RP- 2014-05-019)
NIHR CLAHRC (South London) Maternity and Women’s Health.
A special thank you to all the women who took part in the study giving their time
and sharing their experiences.
Trial Registration
South London Ethics Committee 17/LO/2041
References
1. Knight M, Nair M, Tuffnell D, Kenyon S, Shakespeare J, Brocklehurst P, Kurinczuk
JJ (Eds.) on behalf of MBRRACE-UK. Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care − Surveillance
of maternal deaths in the UK 2012−14 and lessons learned to inform maternity care
from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity
2009−14. Oxford: National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford; 2016
[www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/mbrrace-uk].
2. Bramham K, Parnell B, Nelson-Piercy C, Seed PT, Poston L, Chappell LC. Chronic
hypertension and pregnancy outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ : British
Medical Journal. 2014;348:g2301.
Figure 1 (abstract O32).
a. Adherence and concordance with prescribed AHTs in women with chronic hypertension.
1b. Facilitators of adherence and of concordance
O33 Scale-up of SmartVA, an electronic decision support tool to improve cause of death
certification in The Philippines
Rohina Joshi1,2, Lene Mikkelsen3, Ferchito Avileno4, Agnes Segarra4, Alan D Lopez3
1The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia; 2School of Public Health
and Community medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; 3University
of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; 4Department of Health, Manila, Philippines.
Correspondence: Rohina Joshi (rjoshi@georgeinstitute.org)
Background
The majority of deaths in Philippines occur out-of-hospital and require a medical
certificate of cause of death (MCCD) by Municipal Health Officers (MHOs). In order
to improve the quality of MCCD of home deaths, SmartVA auto-analyse, an electronic
decision support tool for physicians was introduced to assist MHOs in the certification
process.
Method
SmartVA Auto-analyse was implemented in a phased manner. A stakeholder consultation
was followed by site visits and workshops with MHOs. A pre-test was conducted to assess
feasibility and acceptability by MHOs in 13 municipalities. The intervention included
training MHOs in SmartVA Auto-analyse, and MCCD (Fig 1). Next, the intervention was
scaled-up to 50 municipalities across 6 regions. A mixed-methods evaluation was performed
using cause of death data and group discussions with the MHOs and policy meeting with
the Department of Health.
Results
During the pilot 5649 home deaths were registered (54% male). SmartVA used to certify
81% of all deaths (4333), for the remaining 19%, doctors could assign a cause of death
based on the availability of medical records. Physicians agreed with the SmartVA diagnosis
in 65% cases. Group discussions identified two key themes 1) SmartVA was acceptable
to MHOs, and 2) It standardised certification for home deaths and improved the quality
of death certification. The Government plans to roll out the intervention in a phased
manner over the next 2 years.
Conclusion
SmartVA can be implemented by MHOs and improve the quality of death certification
of home deaths in Philippines.
Acknowledgements
The project was funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Department of Foreign Affairs,
Australia. We acknowledge the Country Coordinator, the Staff from the Department of
Health, the implementing partners, all the participating Municipal Health Officers,
and the respondents.
Figure 1 (abstract O33).
Standard operating procedure for use of SmartVA Auto-analyse by physicians
O34 A systematic review of the implementation outcome instruments used in healthcare
settings and their measurement properties
Sabah Boufkhed1, Zarnie Khadjesari1,2, Silia Vitoratou3, Laura Schatte1, Alexandra
Ziemann1,5, Christina Daskalopoulou4, Eleonora Uglik-Marucha3, Nick Sevdalis1, Louise
Hull1
1 Centre for Implementation Science, Health Service and Population Research Department,
King’s College London, UK;2 School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia,
UK; 3 Biostatistics and Health Informatics Department, King’s College London, UK;
4 Health Service and Population Research Department, King’s College London, UK; 5
Centre for Healthcare Innovation Research, City, University of London, UK
Correspondence: Sabah Boufkhed (sabah.boufkhed@kcl.ac.uk)
Background
The use of validated instruments is needed to measure the implementation of evidence-based
interventions and services [1,2]. To help researchers and practitioners identify relevant
tools to measure implementation outcomes in physical healthcare settings, we conducted
a systematic review aiming to identify quantitative implementation outcome measures,
and critically appraise their psychometric properties [3].
Method
We searched seven databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, HMIC, CINAHL and the Cochrane
Library), from inception to March 2017. A search update (March 2017-18) is currently
ongoing. Eligible studies assessed measurement properties of implementation outcome
instruments in physical healthcare settings. Proctor et al. ’s framework [4] was used
to select the implementation outcomes: acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility,
adoption, penetration, implementation cost and sustainability. We used the COnsensus-based
Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist to
assess their methodological quality [5] and a newly developed Contemporary Psychometrics
(ConPsy) checklist to assess their robustness.
Results
Two reviewers independently screened 6,586 titles and abstracts, and 313 full papers.
More than 50 publications were included, among which over half measured acceptability.
Less than 10 studies measured each of the other implementation outcomes (figures pending
update). Most studies reported some measurement properties. Content and structural
validity were the most reported properties for the validity domain; and internal consistency
for the reliability domain. Studies had overall poor or fair methodological quality,
and the ConPsy checklist indicated poor instruments’ robustness. However, some acceptability
measures, like the Ottawa acceptability of decision rules instrument [6 ], or the
Impact of Health Information Technology Scale [7 ], had excellent methodological quality.
Conclusion
This review provides a much-needed repository of appraised implementation outcome
instruments for physical healthcare settings. It highlights the efforts to quantify
implementations outcomes, and the need for further psychometric testing of existing
measures. It also encourages researchers to consider how to best measure feasibility,
penetration, implementation cost and sustainability.
Acknowledgments
The research is supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration
for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South London (CLAHRC South London)
at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Sabah Boufkhed and Zarnie Khadjesari received funding from the King’s Improvement
Science (KIS), which is a part of the NIHR CLAHRC South London. KIS is funded by King’s
Health Partners, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, the Maudsley Charity and the Health
Foundation.
References
1. Lewis CC, Fischer S, Weiner BJ, Stanick C, Kim M, Martinez RG. Outcomes for implementation
science: an enhanced systematic review of instruments using evidence-based rating
criteria. Implement Sci. 2015;10:155. doi:10.1186/s13012-015-0342-x
2. Clinton-McHarg T, Yoong SL, Tzelepis F, et al. Psychometric properties of implementation
measures for public health and community settings and mapping of constructs against
the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research: a systematic review. Implementation
Science. 2016;11:148. doi:10.1186/s13012-016-0512-5
3. Khadjesari Z, Vitoratou S, Sevdalis N, Hull L. Implementation outcome assessment
instruments used in physical healthcare settings and their measurement properties:
a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open. 2017;7(10):e017972. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017972
4. Proctor E, Silmere H, Raghavan R, et al. Outcomes for implementation research:
conceptual distinctions, measurement challenges, and research agenda. Adm Policy Ment
Health. 2010;38(2):65–76. doi:10.1007/s10488-010-0319-7
5. Terwee CB, Mokkink LB, Knol DL, Ostelo RW, Bouter LM, de Vet HC. Rating the methodological
quality in systematic reviews of studies on measurement properties: a scoring system
for the COSMIN checklist. Qual Life Res. 2011;21(4):651–657. doi:10.1007/s11136-011-9960-1
6. Brehaut JC, Graham ID, Wood TJ, Taljaard M, Eagles D, Lott A, Clement C, Kelly
AM, Mason S, Kellerman A, Stiell IG. Measuring acceptability of clinical decision
rules: validation of the Ottawa acceptability of decision rules instrument (OADRI)
in four countries. Medical Decision Making. 2010 May;30(3):398-408.
7. Dykes PC, Hurley A, Cashen M, Bakken S, Duffy ME. Development and psychometric
evaluation of the Impact of Health Information Technology (I-HIT) scale. Journal of
the American Medical Informatics Association. 2007 Jul 1;14(4):507-14.
P35 The role of Principal Investigators of research studies in the adoption and scaling
up of healthcare interventions
Sal Stapley, Rob Anderson
University of Exeter College of Medicine and Health, Devon, UK
Correspondence: Sal Stapley (s.a.stapley@exeter.ac.uk)
Background
The importance of assessing the impact of universities’ research is gaining importance
with an increase in impact weighting in case studies from the 2014 to 2021 REF exercises.
Similarly funders require Principal Investigators (PIs) to describe impact pathways
and statements for grant applications to demonstrate how research may be expected
to inform policy or practice, and ultimately provide benefit to society. Historically
the primary role of the academic has been to carry out rigorous and original research
to add to disciplinary knowledge. This study aims to examine the role of the PI to
describe the role of PIs in driving the adoption and uptake of their own research
findings in the healthcare setting.
Method
Purposive sampling of the 163 REF 2014 impact case studies in Unit of Assessment 2
(Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care) was used to identify case studies,
which cited a definitive effectiveness trial in the impact summary. Trial PIs will
be emailed a questionnaire to describe the roles and work in driving the uptake of
their research findings (or intervention). They will also be asked about what perceived
freedoms/enablers or disincentives/barriers meant they have been able to do more/less
impact generation than they would have liked, the role of serendipity/luck, how their
role in enabling implementation has changed over time, and whether they made use of
specific tools or frameworks to guide their evidence implementation efforts.
Results
Data will be analysed and presented using descriptive statistics.
Conclusion
The study will characterise the variety of roles that lead researchers can play in
promoting the successful uptake or application of their research findings in health
policy and practice, together with outlining the perceived contextual factors that
have enabled (or constrained) them to adopt such roles.
P36 Withdrawn
P37 Implementation of an online healthy weight toolkit to support practitioners working
with pre-school children
Hassan, S.M1.2, Nugent, M3, Bradbury, D4.5, Watson, P.M4.
1NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care North West
Coast (CLAHRC NWC); 2The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; 3Early Help, Public
health, Blackburn with Darwen, Lancashire, England; 4Physical Activity Exchange, School
of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moore’s University, UK; 5School of
Psychology, University of Worcester, UK.
Correspondence: Hassan, S. M (s.m.hassan@liverpool.ac.ukc)
Background
Recent data shows Blackburn with Darwen (BwD) has a higher than average prevalence
of both over- and under-weight in children starting school. Following local concern
for the lack of pre-school child weight management provision, an 8-module online health
weight toolkit was co-produced in partnership between local stakeholders and academic
partners. All modules include guidance from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child
Health (RCPCH), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), World Health
Organisation (WHO), and NHS. As part of the Partner Priority Programme (PPP) of the
Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care North West Coast
(CLAHRC-NWC), an implementation strategy was developed that focuses on engaging healthcare
professionals with the online healthy weight intervention tool.
Method
The implementation strategy draws on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation
Research (CFIR) and involves multidisciplinary collaboration between academics, healthcare
professionals, local authority commissioners and four public members. This presentation
will reflect on the CFIR process and milestones in the implementation of the online
tool. The shared learning will offer insight into how stakeholder engagement enhances
the process of implementation.
Results
The process in engaging different stakeholders in the development of an implementation
strategy consolidates the acknowledgment of local expertise. However, this process
can be challenging when considering the inner and outer context in creating a strong
partnership for implementation. For example it required ensuring shared vision, addressing
team dynamics, alignment with local pathways, exploring individual role restrictions,
and alignment with national policy/guidance.
Conclusion
The CFIR provided a structured framework that enabled exploration of different factors
to support the process of engaging different stakeholders and public members in the
development of an implementation strategy.
Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge the tremendous work of Dr Ruth Young in supporting the
implementation of this project. We would also like to show gratitude to Shirley Goodhew
for supporting the internship process of this project.
O38 Embedding implementation science in practice: learning from the Partner Priority
programme
Shaima Hassan1,2, Cheryl Simmill-Binning*1,3, Alison McCracken4, Tamsin Cripps4, Annette
O’Donoghue4, Jane Tomlinson-Wright4, Clarissa Giebel1,2
1NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care North West
Coast (CLAHRC NWC); 2The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; 3Lancaster University,
Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK; 4University Hospital of Moorecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust,
Cumbria, UK
Correspondence: Shaima Hassan (s.m.hassan@liverpool.ac.uk)
Background
Increasingly, practitioners and other professionals are expected to be involved in
research and evaluations not only as advisers but also as researchers. The Collaboration
for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care North West Coast (CLAHRC NWC) Partner
Priority Programme (PPP) has undertaken an approach of work that facilitated this
type of co-working, which in its third iteration set out to build capacity in Implementation
Science. This offered a Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR)
through which practitioners could consider the drivers associated with the implementation
of their projects.
Method
Four reflective narratives explore the journey travelled by practitioners new to the
framework, reflecting the inside and outside setting, characteristics of the intervention
and the individuals involved. Offering guidance as to how in the future their fellow
professional could be engaged and enabled to deliver Implementation Science in their
institutions.
Results
Being at the forefront of change is not easy, however, the CFIR offered the practitioners
a means to discuss and understand the challenges they were facing in the implementation
of their projects. No longer was it seen as a case of individually named people appearing
to be obstructive. It became apparent that changes were challenging their knowledge
and beliefs about the intervention as the new project did not sit easily with their
understanding of the wider organisation. The characteristics of one project was found
to be a major challenge not only in terms of delivery but also as a concept and practice
within mainstream health care.
Conclusion
Practitioners need support to enable them to apply Implementation Science frameworks
such as the CFIR. In particular, they need a learning environment in which to apply
the methodology, reflect on the outcome, and assess the impact whilst continuing with
the ‘day job’.
O39 Experience of using mental health indicators in six low and middle-income countries
where mental health is integrated in primary care: a qualitative study
Shalini Ahuja1, Charlotte Hanlon2,1, Dan Chisholm3, Maya Semrau4,1, Dristy Gurung5,
Jibril Abdulmalik6, James Mugisha7, Ntokozo Mntambo8, Fred Kigozi7, Inge Petersen8,
Rahul Shidhaye9, Nawaraj Upadhaya5, Crick Lund10,1, Sara Evans-Lacko11,1, Graham Thornicroft1,
Oye Gureje6, Mark Jordans1,5
1Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience,
King’s College London, UK; 2Charlotte Hanlon, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia; 3Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, World Health Organization,
Switzerland; 4 Global Health and Infection Department, Brighton & Sussex Medical School,
Brighton, UK; 5Transcultural Psychosocial Organization, Nepal; 6Department of Psychiatry,
University of Ibadan; 7Butabika National Referral and Teaching Mental Hospital, Uganda;
8University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa; 9Public Health Foundation of India; 10Alan
J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health,
University of Cape Town, South Africa; 11Personal Social Services Research Unit, London
School of Economics and Political Science
Correspondence: Shalini Ahuja (shalini.ahuja@kcl.ac.uk)
Background
Efforts to scale up integrated mental health care in low and middle-income country
are underway. Some of these initiatives are focusing on strengthening information
systems for mental health. In the previous publications, we described the need and
the process of implementing key indictors covering mental health service delivery
in lower and middle-income countries. These measures were introduced by a multi country
consortium Emerald (Emerging Mental Health System) at a district level in six LMICs
(Ethiopa, India, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda).
Methods
In this paper, through a qualitative study with 128 in depth interviews, we assessed
the feasibility, acceptability and utility of a set of indicators for routine monitoring
of mental health care and evaluated the performance of a set of indicators for routine
monitoring of mental health care.
Results
Most mental health indicators were deemed relevant and potentially useful for improving
care, and therefore acceptable to end users. Exceptions were indicators on functionality,
cost and severity. The simplicity of the data capturing formats contributed to the
feasibility of using forms to generate data on mental health indicators. Health workers
reported increasing confidence in their capacity to record the mental health data
and minimal additional cost to initiate mental health reporting. However, overstretched
primary care staff and the time-consuming reporting process affected perceived sustainability.
Conclusion
This qualitative study provides a potential model for evaluating the use of mental
health information systems across low and middle income countries and recommends key
feasible indicators to be adapted for similar settings.
O40 Amalgamating theoretical frameworks to understand individual and organisational
level implementation
Stephanie Best1,2, Janet C Long1, Melissa Martyn3,4, Clara Gaff3,4, Jeffrey Braithwaite1,
Natalie Taylor5
1Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia;
2Australian Genomic Health Alliance, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne,
Australia; 3Dept. of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; 4Melbourne
Genomics Health Alliance, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Melbourne, Australia; 5New
South Wales Cancer Council, Woolloomooloo, Sydney, Australia.
Correspondence: Stephanie Best (stephanie.best@mq.edu.au)
Background
Despite the rapid advances in genomic medicine, few studies incorporate implementation
science theoretical frameworks.1 When exploring implementation on multiple levels,
for example the use of clinical genomics in Australia, it can be challenging to identify
a single appropriate approach and amalgamating frameworks may be advantageous. We
used two frameworks to learn from early adopters to design interventions to support
initial implementation and sustainability of genomics in wider and less genomically
specialised healthcare settings.
Method
Working with Australian Genomics and Melbourne Genomics, we interviewed 37 people
with experience of clinical genomic testing. i) non-genetic medical specialists, using
the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to understand determinants of practice along
the patient journey ii) service-level decision makers, using the Translation Science
to Impact framework (TSci) to understand organisational and external factors affecting
translation phases. Individual and organisational barriers and enablers were coded
to the TDF and the TSci, respectively. Areas for overlapping themes across frameworks
were explored.
Results
Clinician level barriers and enablers were identified across four key target areas
(patient identification, test selection, communicating results, and mainstreaming)
along the genomics pathway and represented all of the TDF domains. Service-level factors
were identified to represent all the TSci Key Issues across the pre-adoption, adoption,
implementation and sustainability phases relating to ‘Needed Practice Supports’. Overlap
between frameworks was found across all target areas, but predominantly for clinician-identified
barriers and enablers to mainstreaming of genomics which covered all TSci phases.
Conclusion
Our study highlights the potential to combine different theoretical frameworks to
maximise the value of theoretical approaches in highly complex settings. The next
steps will be to explore the extent to which a theory driven approach to intervention
design (e.g., behaviour change techniques) can be applied to address both individual
and organisational level barriers.
Reference
1 Roberts et al The current state of implementation science in genomic medicine: opportunities
for improvement. Genet Med [Internet]. 2017;19(8):858–63. Available from: http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/gim.2016.210
P41 Implementing rapid genomic testing in acute paediatric care in Australia
Stephanie Best1,2, Janet C Long1, Jeffrey Braithwaite1, Natalie Taylor3, Belinda Maclaren2,4,
Helen Brown5, Sebastian Lunke6, Zornitza Stark2,6
1Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia;
2Australian Genomic Health Alliance, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne,
Australia; 3New South Wales Cancer Council, Woolloomooloo, Sydney, Australia; 4Dept.
of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; 5Melbourne Genomics
Health Alliance, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Melbourne, Australia; 6Victoria
Clinical Genetics Service, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Correspondence: Stephanie Best (stephanie.best@mq.edu.au)
Background
Genomic testing, reading the entire genetic information, provides an opportunity to
end the diagnostic journey for many patients with rare disease. Typically, return
of results takes around six months – a timeline too slow for the management of acutely-unwell
children. Whilst faster turnaround times can deliver more clinically useful results,
it demands a restructure of the whole genomics pathway and causes disruption to traditional
practices.
Melbourne Genomics led a rapid-genomic testing (<21days) real-world project in two
hospitals. We used implementation science principles to learn from this project and
apply them in an Australian Genomics multi-centre project for ultra-rapid genomic
testing (<5days) in acutely-unwell children.
Method
Data on the barriers and enablers to implementation were gathered (observations at
multidisciplinary team meetings, research journals (February 2016-September 2017)
from the project leads and participating genetic clinical and laboratory staff. The
multi-centre project data collection also included interviews with laboratory scientists,
genetic clinicians and paediatric intensivists (April-June 2019). Analysis was undertaken
using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).
Results
Several CFIR constructs were prominent (see table 1) across both hospitals. Enablers
were identified, and outcomes noted.
Conclusion
Accounting for organisational culture and tailoring implementation science principles
to real-world problems are key to success. Using implementation science theory has
enabled structured learning from one project and facilitated the initiation of a multi-centre
project that will inform the next steps of delivering genomic testing in the acute
paediatric setting
Reference
1. Stark et al, Meeting the challenges of implementing rapid genomic testing in acute
pediatric care Genetics in Medicine, 2018; 20(12), 1554-1563.
Table 1 (abstract P41).
Example CFIR construct, barriers, solutions, and outcome (adapted from Stark et al1)
CFIR construct
Barrier
Enabler identified
Outcome
Networks & Communications
Delay in referral to clinical genetics
Clearly communicate availability of rapid genomic testing and indications for referral
Earlier referrals to clinical genetics
Relative advantage
Ensure referrers get feedback on diagnostic and clinical impact of rapid genomic testing,
e.g. at monthly NICU/Genetics case review meetings
Increased number of referrals to clinical genetics
Implementation climate
Parental difficulty processing complex information in a stressful environment
Increased genetic counselling support in the acute setting
Higher rate of rapid genomic testing acceptance by families
Adaptability
Results batched ready for weekly dedicated MDT meeting
Initiate multidisciplinary team meetings for single cases, with minimum quorum defined
Reduction in time to report
Formal implementation leaders
Absence of an established
rapid genomic testing pathway
Clinical and laboratory champions identified
Formal rapid genomic testing operating procedure
established
Interviews for the multi-state trial are ongoing. Early findings indicate the importance
of relationships between genetic and paediatric intensivist staff
P42 Social prescribing for people with motor neurone disease in Liverpool: Enabling
access to local well-being activities to prevent social isolation and mental ill health
Suzanne Simpson1, Sandra Smith2, Moira Furlong2,3, Janet Ireland4, Clarissa Giebel
2,5
1 The Walton Centre NHS Trust; 2 NIHR CLAHRC NWC; 3 The Motor Neurone Disease Association;
4 The Brain Charity; 5 Institute of Population Health Sciences, University of Liverpool
Correspondence: Suzanne Simpson (suzanne.simpson@thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk)
Background
Motor neurone disease (MND) affects around 5,000 people in the UK. This project aims
to identify potential services and activities provided by the third sector in the
Sefton and Liverpool area that can support psychological wellbeing in people living
with MND (plwMND).
Method
This project is part of the NIHR CLAHRC NWC Partner Priority Programme, enabling partner
organisations to implement services collaboratively with academics and the public.
The project team includes three public advisors, two with experience of caring for
someone with MND, and one working for a third sector organisation providing information
and advice services for individuals with neurological conditions. Recruitment is carried
out by MND association visitors, outpatient and community therapists. To ensure the
occupation is based on the person’s interests, the Modified Interest Checklist is
used [1]. Once suitable activities are identified, the project lead attends the activities
with the plwMND, acting as a support for the plwMND and the activity provider for
a total of six weeks.
Referrers complete questionnaires prior to recruitment to establish their current
use of wellbeing services, and quality of life measures are administered to the plwMND
and their family carer pre and post intervention. Interviews will be carried out post
intervention with plwMND and their family carer, the referrers, and community providers.
Results
Starting in February, two plwMND have utilised the service so far. Both have recently
finished working and expressed concern that they had no structure or purpose. They
have chosen varied activities including reading and history groups, art classes, bird
watching, and accessible exercise.
Conclusion
Currently, we are at the beginning of this implementation project. Findings will have
important implications on how a social prescribing service can be provided to plwMND,
and if successful, how this service can be rolled out wider across the region and
nationally.
Acknowledgements This study was part-funded by The National Institute for Health Research
Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care North West Coast
(NIHR CLAHRC NWC). The views expressed here are those of the author(s) and not necessarily
those of the NHS, the NIHR, or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Reference
1. Taylor, RR, Kielhofner, G. Kielhofner’s model of human occupation: theory and application.
5th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2017.
P43 Stakeholder-driven, mixed-methods implementation evaluation of two psychoeducational
programmes to reduce the incidence of severe hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes
Tayana Soukup1, Louise Hull1, Ioannis Bakolis1,2, Andy Healey1, Nick Sevdalis1, Lived
experience group2
1Centre for Implementation Science, King’s College London, UK; 2Department of Biostatistics
and Health Informatics, King’s College London, UK; 2People With Diabetes Group: Arthur
Durrant, Mike Kendall, Victoria Ruszala, Mel Stephenson, Lis Warren, London UK
Correspondence: Tayana Soukup (tayana.soukup@kcl.ac.uk)
Background
In line with the Medical Research Council’s (MRC) recommendations for evaluating complex
interventions [1-3], we have set out to evaluate implementation of two novel psychoeducational
courses for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and problematic hypoglycaemia. The courses
are delivered within a hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation cluster randomised
trial (4; NCT02940873). Here we report co-design of the implementation arm of the
trial.
Method
This was an international, multisite study conducted October-December 2017 across
5 diabetes centres in England, UK, and Massachusetts, US.
We conducted 11 focus groups with overall 28 intervention stakeholders, including,
individuals with lived experience of T1D and hypoglycaemia unawareness (n=6 attending
2x1.5hrs focus groups), and healthcare professionals (HCPs; n=22; physicians, nurses,
dietitians, psychologists and support staff attending 9x1hr focus groups).
We were guided by the tool for designing implementation research [5-6], including
also:
MRC framework [1-3],
Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance [7],
Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research [8-9],
Implementation outcomes by Proctor et al [10], and
Implementation strategies compendium by Powel et al [11].
In a qualitative manner, the stakeholders reviewed for relevance, feasibility and
clarity a selection of outcomes, tools [12], approaches, measurement time-points and
participant groups. Following each meeting, stakeholders’ feedback was incorporated
in an iterative manner – until the final versions of the materials were produced for
implementation within the trial.
Results
Stakeholder input has enabled relevant, feasible, and appropriate implementation outcomes,
validated surveys, interview questions, participant groups, and measurement time-points
to be identified. The final outcomes included acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness,
fidelity, context, unintended consequences and implementation cost. Mixed-methods
approach was deemed most acceptable.
Conclusion
Our study offers a stakeholder-driven methodological approach to co-designing an evaluation
of complex intervention implementation within a hybrid trial. Input from HCPs and
people with lived experience, who co-authored this work, continues to be instrumental
in maximising relevance of this research.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the representatives of the people with type 1 diabetes, as
well as the health care professionals involved, for their time and commitment in the
design of this study protocol.
References
1. Medical Research Council. Developing and evaluating complex interventions: new
guidance. 2006; https://www.mrc.ac.uk/documents/pdf/complex-interventions-guidance/.
2. Moore GF, Audrey S, Barker M, Bond L, Bonnel C., Hardeman W, Moor L, O’Cathain
A, Tinati T., Wight D, Bair J. Process evaluation of complex interventions: Medical
Council guidance. BMJ. 2015; doi:10.1136/bmj.h1258
3. Craig P, Dieppe P, Macintyre S, Michie S, Nazareth I, Petticrew M. Developing and
evaluating complex interventions: the new medical research council guidance. Int J
Nurs Stud. 2013;50:587-592;p.591.
4. Amiel S, Choudhary P, Jacob P, Smith E, de Zoysa N, Gonder-Frederick L, Kendall
M. et al. A group randomised controlled trial of a novel intervention addressing cognitions
in adults with treatment-resistant problematic hypoglycaemia complicating type 1 diabetes
therapy – the Hypoglycaemia Awareness Restoration Programme for people with type 1
diabetes and problematic hypoglycaemia persisting despite optimised self-care (HARPdoc).
BMJ Open. [in press]
5. Implementation Science Research Development (ImpRes) tool and guide. http://www.kingsimprovementscience.org/files/ImpRes_Guide_May2018_2.pdf.
Accessed 03 August 2018.
6. Hull L, Goulding L, Khadjesari Z, Davis R, Healey A, Bakolis I, Sevdalis N. Designing
High-Quality Implementation Research: Development, Application and preliminary evaluation
of the Implementation Science Research Development (ImpRes) tool and guide. Implement
Sci. [in press]
7. Harden SM, Smith ML, Ory MG, Smith-Ray R, Estabrooks PA, Glasgow RE. Re-aim in
clinical, community, and corporate settings: perspectives, strategies, and recommendations
to enhance public health impact. Front Public Health. 2018; doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00071
8. Kirk AM, Kelley C, Yankey N, Birken SA, Abadie B, Damschroder L. A systematic review
of the use of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Implementation
Sci. 2016;11:72.
9. Damschroder LJ, Hagedorn HJ. A guiding framework and approach for implementation
research in substance use disorders treatment. Psychol Addict Behav. 2011;25(2):194.
10. Proctor E, Silmere H, Raghavan R, Hoymand P, Aarons G, Bunger A, Griffey R, Hensley
M. Outcomes for implementation research: conceptual distinctions, measurement challenges,
and research agenda. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2011;38(2):65-76.
11. Powell BJ, Waltz TJ, Chinman MJ, Damschroder LJ, Smith JL, Matthieu MM, Proctor
EK, Kirchner JE. A refined compilation of implementation strategies: results from
the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) project. Implementation
Sci. 2015;10:21.
12. Weiner BJ, Lewis CC, Stanick C, Powell BJ, Dorsey CN, Clary AS, Boynton MH, Halko
H. Psychometric assessment of three newly developed implementation outcome measures.
Implement Sci. 2017;12:108.
Table 1 (abstract O43).
Stakeholder-driven data collection plan for the implementation study: assessment objectives,
data, instruments, timeline and participants
#
Study outcomes
Definition of the study outcome
Data type
Data collection method
Measurement time-point
Stakeholder groups*
IMPLEMENTATION OUTCOMES:
1.
Acceptability [8]
Extent to which programme is perceived to be agreeable and acceptable for hypoglycaemia
and diabetes management.
Quantitative
AIM† survey
Post-intervention
HCPs, people with T1D and their relatives
Qualitative
Interview
Post-intervention
2.
Appropriateness [8]
Extent to which programme is perceived to be fit and relevant for hypoglycaemia and
diabetes management.
Quantitative
IAM‡ survey
Post-intervention
HCPs, people with T1D and their relatives
Qualitative
Interview
Post-intervention
3.
Feasibility [8]
Extent to which programme can be successfully used or carried out to reduce incidents
of severe hypoglycaemia.
Quantitative
FIM§ survey
Post-intervention
HCPs, people with T1D and their relatives
Qualitative
Interview
Post-intervention
4.
Fidelity of delivery [8]
Extent to which programme is delivered as intended.
Quantitative
Checklist
Post-intervention
Diabetes educators and psychologists
5.
Fidelity of receipt [8]
Extent to which programme is received as intended.
Qualitative
Interview
Post-intervention
People with T1D
6.
Adoption [8]
Intention to adopt and use the knowledge and skills learned in the programme in everyday
hypoglycaemia and diabetes management.
Qualitative
Interview
Post-intervention
HCPs, people with T1D and their relatives
7.
Sustainability [8,12]
Facilitators and barriers to sustained use of the programme.
Qualitative
Interview
Post-intervention
HCPs, people with T1D and their relatives
8.
Implementation costs [8,12]
Costs associated with prospective implementation of the programme.
Qualitative
Interview
Post-intervention
HCPs, people with T1D and their relatives
OTHER OUTCOMES:
9.
Unintended consequences of programmes [9]
Positive or negative consequences that are not anticipated at the time of programme
implementation.
Qualitative
Interview
Post-intervention
HCPs, people with T1D and their relatives
10.
Contextual factors [9]
Facilitators and barriers to the implementation of the programme.
Qualitative
Interview
Post-intervention
HCPs, people with T1D and their relatives
11.
Implementation strategies [11]
Strategies used to deliver and implement the programme; they refer to methods or techniques
to enhance and promote adoption, implementation and sustainability of the programme.
Qualitative
Interview
Post-intervention
HCPs
Note. *HCPs = Health Care Professionals incl. diabetes educator, physician, psychologist,
and administrative support. †AIM = Acceptability of Intervention Measure [12]; ‡IAM
= Intervention Appropriateness Measure [12]; §FIM = Feasibility of Intervention Measure
[12]
O44 Looking into determinants and mechanisms related to the implementation of a pain
management guideline in nursing homes
Thekla Brunkert1, Michael Simon1,2, Franziska Zúñiga 1
1 University of Basel, Department Public Health (DPH), Nursing Science (INS), 4056
Basel, Switzerland; 2 Inselspital Bern University Hospital, Nursing Research Unit,
3010 Bern, Switzerland.
Correspondence: Thekla Brunkert (Thekla.brunkert@unibas.ch)
Background
Underutilization of evidence-based pain management in nursing homes is common. Evidence
towards effective approaches to improve adoption of evidence-based practices in nursing
homes is limited. Furthermore, little is known about the mechanisms of how implementation
strategies affect practice change [1]. This study uses a mixed-methods approach to
explore the mechanisms and determinants related to the implementation of a pain management
guideline in Swiss nursing homes.
Method
We conducted a process evaluation alongside an effectiveness-implementation study
in four nursing homes. Based on an a priori contextual analysis in the participating
homes, we developed a conceptual framework describing the hypothesized interactions
of implementation strategy, contextual factors, mechanisms, and implementation outcomes.
With a care worker questionnaire survey at baseline (n=136), after three (n= 99) and
six months (n=83) we assessed our hypothesized central mechanism, self-efficacy in
pain management, and self-reported guideline adoption. We computed linear mixed-effect
models to assess changes over time in self-efficacy and logistic regressions to assess
associations between self-efficacy and guideline adoption. Concurrently, we conducted
focus groups with care workers (n=16) to gain a deeper understanding of the implementation
process, interactions between potential mechanisms, determinants and outcomes of the
implementation. Qualitative data was analysed using a deductive thematic analysis
approach.
Results
Overall, there was a significant increase in self-efficacy after three and six months
(p<0.001). Self-reported adoption of guideline components ranged between 44% and 73%.
We found significant associations between self-efficacy and adoption of some guideline
components, e.g., performing a comprehensive pain assessment.
Qualitative findings indicate a different response to implementation strategies by
registered nurses and nursing aides, e.g., in role empowerment. Training workshops
increased awareness towards pain, stimulating changes in pain assessment behaviour.
Conclusion
Understanding implementation processes in a multilevel context is challenging. Developing
a conceptual framework can facilitate the exploration of potential mechanisms and
influences of contextual factors.
Reference
1. Lewis CC, Klasnja P, Powell BJ, Lyon AR, Tuzzio L, Jones S, et al. From Classification
to Causality: Advancing Understanding of Mechanisms of Change in Implementation Science.
Frontiers in Public Health. 2018; 6:136
P45 Impact of evidence-based healthcare education for Chinese medicine practitioners:
A pre-post evaluation
Charlene HL Wong1,2, Irene XY Wu3, William KW Cheung4, Robin ST Ho4, Matthew J Leach5,7,
Wenbo Peng5, Yan Zhang5,8, Justin CY Wu1,2, Vincent CH Chung4,6
1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong
Kong; 2Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong
Kong, Hong Kong; 3Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha
Hunan, China; 4Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University
of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; 5Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative
Medicine (ARCCIM), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia;
6School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; 7Department
of Rural Health, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide,
Australia; 8Division of Integrative Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center, Texas, USA.
Correspondence: Vincent CH Chung (vchung@cuhk.edu.hk)
Background
WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-23 recommended evidence-based healthcare (EBHC)
education for traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) professionals, including
Chinese medicine practitioners (CMPs). We evaluated the impact of a customized educational
workshop on Hong Kong CMPs’ knowledge, attitude and practice of EBHC.
Method
Two validated instruments, Evidence-based Practice Questionnaire (EPQ) and Evidence-based
Practice Inventory (EPI), were used to assess the impact of EBHC education. Paired
t-tests were used to compare scores before and after the workshop. Multiple linear
regression was performed to explore the associations between changes in EPQ/EPI scores
and CMPs’ characteristics.
Results
CMPs who completed the workshop (n=59) demonstrated significant improvements in the
attitude (p=0.013) and knowledge domains of the EPQ (p=0.005). Significant improvements
were also observed in the attitude, perceived behavioural control, decision making,
and intention and behaviour domains of the EPI. CMPs who had never received prior
EBHC training showed a larger magnitude of improvement in the EPI attitude (p=0.032),
decision making (p=0.015), and intention and behaviour (p=0.015) domains post-workshop.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that tailored workshop is effective in strengthening knowledge
and in improving attitudes towards EBHC. Future initiatives consider incorporating
this education approach into CMP curricula, as well as facilitating implementation
of EBHC in routine Chinese medicine practice.
O46 Chinese medicine practitioners’ beliefs and attitudes in applying evidence-based
synopses in routine practice – a qualitative study
Charlene HL Wong1,2, Vincent CH Chung3,4, Justin CY Wu1,2, Per Nilsen5
1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong
Kong; 2Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong
Kong, Hong Kong; 3Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese
University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; 4School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University
of Hong Kong, Hong Kong;5Division of Community Medicine, Department of Medical and
Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Correspondence: Vincent CH Chung (vchung@cuhk.edu.hk)
Background
The WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-23 has been promoting the development of
complementary medicine using evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) approach. The Hong Kong
government has adopted this approach to ensure safety, quality and efficacy of Chinese
medicines. However, little is known about the perspectives of Hong Kong Chinese medicine
practitioners (CMPs) on EBHC. We aimed to examine key facilitators and barriers of
applying results from evidence-based synopses in routine practice among Hong Kong
CMPs.
Method
Four synopses with the summary of systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials
on Chinese medicine interventions were presented to CMPs (n=15). Qualitative face-to-face
interviews on their views on these synopses were then conducted. A semi-structured
interview guide was designed based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation
Research (CFIR). CFIR was also used as a framework to guide the analysis by means
of categorizing barriers and facilitators of applying results from evidence-based
synopses in CMPs’ routine practice.
Results
Analysis of the interview identified seventeen constructs in four CFIR domains: intervention
characteristics, outer setting, inner setting and characteristics of individuals.
Facilitators which promoted the application of evidence-based synopses in
CMPs’ routine practice included adaptability, cost, patient needs and resources, external
policy and incentives. Barriers of the intervention included complexity and available
resources. Constructs that acted as both facilitators and barriers included intervention
source, evidence strength and quality, relative advantage, peer pressure, structural
characteristics, compatibility, access to knowledge and information, knowledge and
beliefs about the intervention, self-efficacy, individual identification with organization
and culture.
Conclusion
This study distinguished a number of CFIR constructs and illustrated how they influenced
the application of results from evidence-based synopses in routine practice among
Hong Kong CMPs. Findings have indicated the importance of providing continuing education
on EBHC for CMPs which may facilitate the integration of clinical research evidence
into their routine practice.
P47 Bridging communication gap in HIV treatment programs through Closed user group
(CUG) mobile technology: Approach to HIV patient monitoring and referrals services
on the Strengthening integrated delivery of HIV/AIDS services project
Yemisi Ogundare1, Olamide Agbaje1, Idongesit Utuk1, Chidubem Momah1, Chinedu Agbakwuru1
Ezekiel James2, Oluyinka Olayemi1, Hadiza Khamofu1 Satish Raj Pandey1
1 FHI 360, Abuja, Nigeria; 2 USAID, Abuja, Nigeria
Correspondence: Yemisi Ogundare (yogundare@aahnigeria.org)
Background
Timely and complete referrals for HIV clients in need of care within health facilities,
facility-community and inter facility is crucial in closing the gaps for HIV care.
Monitoring, tracking and routine interaction with HIV clients by health workers and
case managers has been proven to reduce leakages in treatment cascades and improve
retention in care. However, most health facilities in Nigeria are challenged by the
non-existence of communication infrastructure or resources required to facilitate
timely tracking and completion of referrals for HIV positive clients. The USAID-funded
Strengthening integrated delivery of HIV/AIDS services (SIDHAS) project implemented
the provision of closed user group (CUG) mobile technology as a strategy to closing
the gap.
Description
SIDHAS procured 2,606 mobile phones and lines, distributed to 785 health facilities,
laboratories and 28 community-based organizations across 13 states in Nigeria. Mobile
networks were distributed according to the strength of network available in the locale.
The CUG allowed health workers providing HIV care and treatment services to call each
other within the network with zero charges and to follow up HIV clients referred within
service delivery points and those referred to other health facilities to ensure complete
referrals. A desk review was conducted on the CUG directory and communication logs
for 4 states between June – December 2017.
Lessons learned
Review of the phone directory and call logs shows evidence of inter and intra facility
communications, therefore contributing to improved referral and linkage rate from
39% to 74% within the period for some states. Data collected from 4 states also showed
about 2240 defaulters returned within the period compared to 785 that returned to
care before the CUG implementation. Overall, Improvement in completion rates for referrals
and tracking and provision of adherence support to HIV clients was recorded.
Conclusions/Next steps
Given the results demonstrated by removing communication barriers and bridging the
gap through CUG innovation, expanding CUG distribution to support groups in communities
can be explored to reducing stigma and closing communication gaps amongst infected
individuals.
O48 Review of Strengthening Integrated delivery of HIV/AIDs project (SIDHAS) Accountability
framework of HIV/AIDS financing with civil society organizations, government agencies
and private institutions in Nigeria
Yemisi Ogundare1, Olamide Agbaje1, Idongesit Utuk1, Chidubem Momah1, Nuhu Aliyu1,
Clement Okhakemen1, Charles Esuga1, Oluyinka Olayemi1, Hadiza Khamofu1, Ezekiel James2,
Satish Raj Pendey1
1 FHI 360, Abuja, Nigeria; 2 USAID, Abuja, Nigeria
Correspondence: Yemisi Ogundare (yogundare@aahnigeria.org)
Background
HIV care and treatment in Nigeria is largely managed by a combination of public and
private health facilities. Although these institutions have experienced declines in
funding from government/private owners over the years, they still account for the
majority of patients in care. To bridge the funding gap, the USAID-funded SIDHAS project
introduced different types of grants financing approaches and accountability frameworks
to support scale up of HIV prevention, care and treatment services in 13 states in
Nigeria. We share experiences from the various accountability frameworks applied on
the project.
Description
From inception of SIDHAS project in 2011, FHI360 Nigeria conducted thorough pre-award
assessments, after which 76 sub-awards were executed in 13 states between SIDHAS and
State government for public health, faith-based, civil society organization, and private
health facilities. Capacity building through trainings and mentoring was conducted.
Accounting practices such as system enhancement, compliance audits, quarterly grant
modification, expenditure analysis, scorecard audit, fund request review, documentation
and reporting was mandated for each implementing agency (IA) routinely. A qualitative
content analysis of the IAs’ accounting practices, frameworks, reports and HIV prevention,
care and treatment services delivered was conducted between October 2016 and September
2017.
Lessons Learnt
From the monthly expenditure analysis, sub-award monitoring reports and HIV program
data reported across the 76 IAs showed that 100% of the IAs were compliant with submission
of financial and program reports for the period of assessment. HIV testing, initiation
of client on treatment and provision of care services were not interrupted at those
sites within the period. An analysis of this result further shows that the combination
of capacity building and use of accounting frameworks was instrumental to the results.
About 82% Improvement in quality of program and financial reports received was recorded
within the year demonstrating improved technical, institutional and financial domains
of sustainability.
Conclusion
A combination of accountability approaches resulted in improved ability of IAs to
provide HIV services, manage, and account for donor resources. Providing a combination
of accountability structures for IAs can expand their ability to better manage and
sustain delivery of comprehensive HIV prevention, care and support services.
P49 Lessons learnt from a novel HIV care & treatment funding model for health facilities
in Nigeria, a resource constrained country: The reimbursement for incidentals (RFI)
funding model
Yemisi Ogundare1, Olamide Agbaje1, Irene Osaigbovo1, Idongesit Utuk1, Chidubem Momah1,
Chinedu Agbakwuru1, Oluwasanmi Adedokun1 Ezekiel James2, Oluyinka Olayemi1, Hadiza
Khamofu1
1 FHI 360, Abuja, Nigeria; 2 USAID, Abuja, Nigeria
Correspondence: Yemisi Ogundare (yogundare@aahnigeria.org)
Background
Partnership between the governments of Nigeria (GoN) and the United States (USG) through
PEPFAR aims to strengthen the capacity to scale up HIV prevention, care and treatment
services in Nigeria. While PEPFAR streamlined operational health facility costs in
2014, the GoN was unable to adequately fund operational HIV/AIDS related services.
As a result, health workers were using their personal funds to pay for operational
costs, and when they could not, services were not administered. In response to these
gaps in care, the SIDHAS project developed the RFI funding model to better cover health
facility operational costs. The RFI model reimburses health facilities through service
providers, for operational cost incurred during service delivery. This abstract describes
lessons learnt using the RFI funding model.
Description
The RFI funding model for 13 SIDHAS-supported states in Nigeria was developed to cover
operational health facility costs such as telephone cards and home visits for HIV
clients, internet costs for data entry, transport for sample logging to hub laboratories,
and quality improvement measures. Funds reimbursed for operation costs to each health
facility were calculated at 110 naira ($0.31 US) per client currently on ART in comprehensive
treatment facilities and 300 naira ($0.83 US) per pregnant woman tested for HIV in
PMTCT standalone facilities. The model reimbursed health workers monthly using standardized
verifiable activity request and report forms.
Lessons learned
The RFI funding model was adopted in 100% of health facilities across 13 SIDHAS supported
states in Nigeria. Health workers were motivated because of the RFI model directly
reimburses cost incurred during service delivery. Improvement in service delivery
was recorded, resulting in more clients visiting health facilities. Monthly pay out
to health facilities improved from an average of 57% in 2015, to 66% in 2016 and 84%
in 2017.
Conclusions
The RFI model has proven to be a motivational tool for health workers and a means
to fund and improve HIV care treatment related operational costs in a resource-constrained
country such as Nigeria.