Building capacity from within: qualitative evaluation of a training program aimed at upskilling healthcare workers in delivering an evidence-based implementation approach

Abstract Translating evidence into complex health systems is an ongoing challenge. Building the capacity of healthcare workers in behavioral and implementation science methods may facilitate the use of evidence-based implementation approaches, leading to sustainable and effective translation. The aim was to describe the development, contents and evaluation of a training workshop aimed at upskilling hospital-embedded staff to deliver an evidence-based implementation approach. The Hide and Seek Project (HaSP) is a cluster randomized controlled trial testing two implementation approaches for improving hereditary cancer referral at eight Australian hospitals. Healthcare workers were recruited as “Implementation Leads” and trained via a one-day workshop—TRAining in evideNce-baSed ImpLementATion for hEalth (TRANSLATE). The purpose of TRANSLATE was to upskill Implementation Leads in the delivery of HaSP, as well as implementation science methods more broadly. Implementation Leads participated in semi-structured evaluation interviews, which were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Nine Implementation Leads from various professional backgrounds completed the training. Four key themes were identified: (i) training day reactions, (ii) learning, (iii) implementation barriers and facilitators, and (iv) building health system capacity for implementation. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction, and anticipated that the knowledge and skills may be useful in the future. We describe a novel training program focused on the delivery of evidence-based implementation within health systems. Guided by insights from this study, methods to deliver the training on a larger scale and across different contexts are being explored. The prolonged impact of TRANSLATE will be further evaluated at trial completion. Trial registration: ANZCTR, ACTRN12618001072202. Registered on June 27, 2018

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The effectiveness of an on-line training program for improving knowledge of fire prevention and evacuation of healthcare workers: A randomized controlled trial

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0199747 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. e0199747 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Paul H. Lee ◽

Baoguo Fu ◽

Wangting Cai ◽

Jingya Chen ◽

Zhenfei Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Training Program ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Fire Prevention ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

On Line

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Harnessing single-session interventions to improve adolescent mental health and well-being in India: Development, adaptation, and pilot testing of online single-session interventions in Indian secondary schools

10.31234/osf.io/4wevh ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Akash Wasil ◽

Suh Jung Park ◽

Sarah Gillespie ◽

Rebecca Shingleton ◽

Sachin Shinde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Implementation Study ◽

Single Session ◽

Implementation Barriers ◽

Hybrid Type

Background: Many evidence-based prevention and intervention approaches for youth mental health exist, but most are time-consuming and expensive to deliver. Innovative approaches are needed to develop and disseminate scalable mental health interventions, especially for youth in low- and middle-income countries. Computerized single-session interventions (SSIs) may be able to overcome many of these implementation barriers, especially if deployed in school settings. Methods: Guided by this logic, we designed three computerized SSIs (based on behavioral activation, gratitude, and growth mindset exercises) for delivery in Indian high schools. Then, we conducted focus groups with Indian adolescents and school officials to inform adaptations of the interventions. Finally, we designed a Hybrid Type 1 effectiveness-implementation study to evaluate the interventions. Results: In this paper, we present the rationale for selecting the interventions, the results of the focus groups, and the design of a Hybrid Type 1 effectiveness-implementation study. Our initial focus group data showed that the interventions were considered acceptable, feasible, and appropriate by both educators and students. We also describe feedback on the interventions which we incorporated to refine the interventions prior to our randomized controlled trial. Discussion: Computerized SSIs may offer innovative, scalable ways to disseminate evidence-based interventions. By identifying which interventions are most acceptable and effective in this highly scalable format, we may understand which SSIs are best suited for continued development, testing, and, ultimately, widespread dissemination.

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Vaccinating healthcare workers: Level of implementation, barriers and proposal for evidence-based policies in Turkey

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics ◽

10.1080/21645515.2016.1269992 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 1198-1206 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Lale Ozisik ◽

Mine Durusu Tanriover ◽

Serdar Altınel ◽

Serhat Unal

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Implementation Barriers

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An Implementation Science Laboratory as One Approach to Whole System Improvement: A Canadian Healthcare Perspective

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182312681 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (23) ◽

pp. 12681

Author(s):

Rachel Flynn ◽

Stephanie P. Brooks ◽

Denise Thomson ◽

Gabrielle L. Zimmermann ◽

David Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Implementation Science ◽

Health Systems ◽

System Approach ◽

Health Service Delivery ◽

Routine Practice ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Science Laboratory ◽

Learning Health System ◽

System Improvement ◽

Canadian Healthcare

Implementation science (IS) has emerged as an integral component for evidence-based whole system improvement. IS studies the best methods to promote the systematic uptake of evidence-based interventions into routine practice to improve the quality and effectiveness of health service delivery and patient care. IS laboratories (IS labs) are one mechanism to integrate implementation science as an evidence-based approach to whole system improvement and to support a learning health system. This paper aims to examine if IS labs are a suitable approach to whole system improvement. We retrospectively analyzed an existing IS lab (Alberta, Canada’s Implementation Science Collaborative) to assess the potential of IS labs to perform as a whole system approach to improvement and to identify key activities and considerations for designing IS labs specifically to support learning health systems. Results from our evaluation show the extent to which IS labs support learning health systems through enabling infrastructures for system-wide improvement and research.

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Prioritizing the Mental Health and Well-Being of Healthcare Workers: An Urgent Global Public Health Priority

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.679397 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Lene E. Søvold ◽

John A. Naslund ◽

Antonis A. Kousoulis ◽

Shekhar Saxena ◽

M. Walid Qoronfleh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mental Health ◽

Health Systems ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Public Health Emergencies ◽

Healthcare Workforce ◽

Health And Well Being

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on health systems in most countries, and in particular, on the mental health and well-being of health workers on the frontlines of pandemic response efforts. The purpose of this article is to provide an evidence-based overview of the adverse mental health impacts on healthcare workers during times of crisis and other challenging working conditions and to highlight the importance of prioritizing and protecting the mental health and well-being of the healthcare workforce, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. First, we provide a broad overview of the elevated risk of stress, burnout, moral injury, depression, trauma, and other mental health challenges among healthcare workers. Second, we consider how public health emergencies exacerbate these concerns, as reflected in emerging research on the negative mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers. Further, we consider potential approaches for overcoming these threats to mental health by exploring the value of practicing self-care strategies, and implementing evidence based interventions and organizational measures to help protect and support the mental health and well-being of the healthcare workforce. Lastly, we highlight systemic changes to empower healthcare workers and protect their mental health and well-being in the long run, and propose policy recommendations to guide healthcare leaders and health systems in this endeavor. This paper acknowledges the stressors, burdens, and psychological needs of the healthcare workforce across health systems and disciplines, and calls for renewed efforts to mitigate these challenges among those working on the frontlines during public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Effects of a training program for occupational health professionals on the cognitions and perceptions of workers: a randomized controlled trial

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health ◽

10.1007/s00420-021-01823-7 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Mariska de Wit ◽

Bedra Horreh ◽

Carel T. J. Hulshof ◽

Haije Wind ◽

Angela G. E. M. de Boer

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Chronic Disease ◽

Occupational Health ◽

Training Program ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Work Participation ◽

Control Group ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Randomized Controlled

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effects of a training program for occupational health professionals (OHPs) on their ability to identify the cognitions and perceptions of workers with a chronic disease that may hinder work participation, and on their ability to recommend evidence-based interventions aimed at the identified cognitions and perceptions. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted in which OHPs were randomly assigned to a training program on the cognitions and perceptions of workers with a chronic disease (n = 29) or to a control group that did not receive training (n = 30). Participants received home assignments in which they had to identify the cognitions and perceptions of workers in video vignettes and had to indicate which interventions they would recommend to foster work participation. A generalized linear model repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to study the effects of the training program. Results The results of the analyses showed an increase in the ability to identify the cognitions and perceptions of workers of OHPs who received the training compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The results also showed an increased ability to recommend evidence-based interventions aimed at these cognitions and perceptions (p < 0.001) as a result of participation in the training. Conclusion The training program helps OHPs to identify cognitions and perceptions and to recommend evidence-based interventions. This can support them in their activities to increase the work participation of workers with a chronic disease.

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