Article type
Abstract
Background.
Applying implementation strategies is crucial to effective implementation of standards and guidelines in real-world settings.
Adopting an implementation science approach facilitates an understanding of what, why and how standards work in real-world settings and incorporates methods to improve and promote the implementation of standards into practice.
Objectives.
This study aims to explore barriers and facilitators in home care and support services and identify appropriate implementation strategies to address them.
Methods.
ØThis was a qualitative descriptive research study. Data were collected from public consultations, focus groups and interviews with organisations internationally.
ØPotential barriers and facilitators to implementation of quality home support services were identified, coded to the constructs of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and linked to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) implementation strategies.
Results.
ØA total of 182 responses were received in the public consultation. 24 focus groups (n=131 participants), 2 advisory group meetings and 6 interviews with international organisations were conducted.
ØThe study identified 28 factors that could affect the implementation of home support standards, which included 24 barriers and four facilitators.
ØLack of training for home support workers, poor communication, staffing shortages and recruitment issues were found to be potential barriers to implementing home support standards.
ØPositive relationships between service-users and home support workers, as well as implementation strategies (e.g. guidelines to support providers) were found to be potential facilitators for the implementation of standards.
ØBased on CFIR, the linked ERIC recommended implementation strategies to overcome the barriers include conducting educational meetings, network weaving, and altering incentives.
ØThere is a need to understand contextual factors, in order to select effective implementation support tools for different stakeholder groups. These tools can overcome barriers and leverage the facilitators, leading to successful implementation of evidence-based guidelines and standards.
Conclusions.
ØUtilising implementation science to identify barriers and facilitators to implementation, facilitates the identification of tailored implementation strategies, thereby optimising effective and sustainable implementation of standards and guidelines, to improve population health and system reform.
Applying implementation strategies is crucial to effective implementation of standards and guidelines in real-world settings.
Adopting an implementation science approach facilitates an understanding of what, why and how standards work in real-world settings and incorporates methods to improve and promote the implementation of standards into practice.
Objectives.
This study aims to explore barriers and facilitators in home care and support services and identify appropriate implementation strategies to address them.
Methods.
ØThis was a qualitative descriptive research study. Data were collected from public consultations, focus groups and interviews with organisations internationally.
ØPotential barriers and facilitators to implementation of quality home support services were identified, coded to the constructs of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and linked to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) implementation strategies.
Results.
ØA total of 182 responses were received in the public consultation. 24 focus groups (n=131 participants), 2 advisory group meetings and 6 interviews with international organisations were conducted.
ØThe study identified 28 factors that could affect the implementation of home support standards, which included 24 barriers and four facilitators.
ØLack of training for home support workers, poor communication, staffing shortages and recruitment issues were found to be potential barriers to implementing home support standards.
ØPositive relationships between service-users and home support workers, as well as implementation strategies (e.g. guidelines to support providers) were found to be potential facilitators for the implementation of standards.
ØBased on CFIR, the linked ERIC recommended implementation strategies to overcome the barriers include conducting educational meetings, network weaving, and altering incentives.
ØThere is a need to understand contextual factors, in order to select effective implementation support tools for different stakeholder groups. These tools can overcome barriers and leverage the facilitators, leading to successful implementation of evidence-based guidelines and standards.
Conclusions.
ØUtilising implementation science to identify barriers and facilitators to implementation, facilitates the identification of tailored implementation strategies, thereby optimising effective and sustainable implementation of standards and guidelines, to improve population health and system reform.