Using an intersectionality lens to explore barriers and enablers to hepatitis C point-of-care testing: a qualitative study among people who inject drugs and service providers.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health burden, particularly among people who inject drugs. Rapid point-of-care HCV testing has emerged as a promising approach to improve HCV detection and linkage to care in harm reduction organizations such as needle and syringe programs. The objective of this study was to use an intersectionality lens to explore the barriers and enablers to point-of-care HCV testing in a needle and syringe program. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with clients (people who inject drugs) and service providers in a large community organization focused on the prevention of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections and harm reduction in Montreal, Canada. An intersectionality lens was used alongside the Theoretical Domains Framework to guide the formulation of research questions as well as data collection, analysis, and interpretation. RESULTS: We interviewed 27 participants (15 clients, 12 providers). For clients, four themes emerged: (1) understanding and perceptions of HCV testing, (2) the role of an accessible and inclusive environment, (3) the interplay of emotions and motivations in decision-making, and (4) the impact of intersectional stigma related to HCV, behaviors, and identities. For providers, five themes emerged: (1) knowledge, skills, and confidence for HCV testing, (2) professional roles and their intersection with identity and lived experience, (3) resources and integration of services, (4) social and emotional factors, and (5) behavioral regulation and incentives for HCV testing. Intersectional stigma amplified access, emotional and informational barriers to HCV care for clients. In contrast, identity and lived experience acted as powerful enablers for providers in the provision of HCV care. CONCLUSION: The application of an intersectionality lens provides a nuanced understanding of multilevel barriers and enablers to point-of-care HCV testing. Findings underscore the need for tailored strategies that address stigma, improve provider roles and communication, and foster an inclusive environment for equitable HCV care. Using an intersectionality lens in implementation research can offer valuable insights, guiding the design of equity-focused implementation strategies.

One size doesn't fit all: methodological reflections in conducting community-based behavioural science research to tailor COVID-19 vaccination initiatives for public health priority populations.

BACKGROUND: Promoting the uptake of vaccination for infectious diseases such as COVID-19 remains a global challenge, necessitating collaborative efforts between public health units (PHUs) and communities. Applied behavioural science can play a crucial role in supporting PHUs' response by providing insights into human behaviour and informing tailored strategies to enhance vaccination uptake. Community engagement can help broaden the reach of behavioural science research by involving a more diverse range of populations and ensuring that strategies better represent the needs of specific communities. We developed and applied an approach to conducting community-based behavioural science research with ethnically and socioeconomically diverse populations to guide PHUs in tailoring their strategies to promote COVID-19 vaccination. This paper presents the community engagement methodology and the lessons learned in applying the methodology. METHODS: The community engagement methodology was developed based on integrated knowledge translation (iKT) and community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles. The study involved collaboration with PHUs and local communities in Ontario, Canada to identify priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination, understand factors influencing vaccine uptake and co-design strategies tailored to each community to promote vaccination. Community engagement was conducted across three large urban regions with individuals from Eastern European communities, African, Black, and Caribbean communities and low socioeconomic neighbourhoods. RESULTS: We developed and applied a seven-step methodology for conducting community-based behavioural science research: (1) aligning goals with system-level partners; (2) engaging with PHUs to understand priorities; (3) understanding community strengths and dynamics; (4) building relationships with each community; (5) establishing partnerships (community advisory groups); (6) involving community members in the research process; and (7) feeding back and interpreting research findings. Research partnerships were successfully established with members of prioritized communities, enabling recruitment of participants for theory-informed behavioural science interviews, interpretation of findings, and co-design of targeted recommendations for each PHU to improve COVID-19 vaccination uptake. Lessons learned include the importance of cultural sensitivity and awareness of sociopolitical context in tailoring community engagement, being agile to address the diverse and evolving priorities of PHUs, and building trust to achieve effective community engagement. CONCLUSION: Effective community engagement in behavioural science research can lead to more inclusive and representative research. The community engagement approach developed and applied in this study acknowledges the diversity of communities, recognizes the central role of PHUs, and can help in addressing complex public health challenges.

Nonclinical factors affecting intraoperative red blood cell transfusion: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: There is significant variability in intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion practice. We aimed to use the theoretical domains framework (TDF) to categorize nonclinical and behavioural factors driving intraoperative RBC transfusion practice in a systematic review of the literature. SOURCE: We searched electronic databases from inception until August 2021 to identify studies evaluating nonclinical factors affecting intraoperative RBC transfusion. Using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, we assessed the quality of included studies and identified relevant nonclinical factors, which were coded into TDF domains by two independent reviewers using NVivo (Lumivero, QSR International, Burlington, MA, USA). We identified common themes within domains and sorted domains based on the frequency of reported factors. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Our systematic review identified 18 studies: nine retrospective cohort studies, six cross-sectional surveys, and three before-and-after studies. Factors related to the social influences, behavioural regulation, environmental context/resources, and beliefs about consequences domains of the TDF were the most reported factors. Key factors underlying the observed variability in transfusion practice included the social effects of peers, patients, and institutional culture on decision-making (social influences), and characteristics of the practice environment including case volume, geographic location, and case start time (environmental context/resources). Studies reported variable beliefs about the consequences of both intraoperative transfusion and anemia (beliefs about consequences). Provider- and institutional-level audits, educational sessions, and increased communication between surgeons/anesthesiologists were identified as strategies to optimize intraoperative transfusion decision-making (behavioural regulation). CONCLUSION: Our systematic review has synthesized the literature on nonclinical and behavioural factors impacting intraoperative transfusion decision-making, categorized using the TDF. These findings can inform evidence-based interventions to reduce intraoperative RBC transfusion variability. STUDY REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/pm8zs/?view_only=166299ed28964804b9360c429b1218c1 ; first posted, 3 August 2022).

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Il existe une variabilité importante dans les pratiques de transfusion peropératoire de culots sanguins. Nous avons cherché à utiliser le cadre des domaines théoriques (TDF, pour theoretical domains framework) pour catégoriser les facteurs non cliniques et comportementaux motivant les pratiques de transfusion peropératoire de culots sanguins dans une revue systématique de la littérature. SOURCES: Nous avons réalisé des recherches dans les bases de données électroniques de leur création jusqu'en août 2021 pour identifier les études évaluant les facteurs non cliniques affectant la transfusion peropératoire de culots sanguins. À l'aide de l'outil d'évaluation des méthodes mixtes, nous avons évalué la qualité des études incluses et identifié les facteurs non cliniques pertinents, qui ont été codés dans les domaines TDF par deux personnes les révisant de manière indépendante utilisant NVivo (Lumivero, QSR International, Burlington, MA, États-Unis). Nous avons identifié des thèmes communs au sein des domaines et trié les domaines en fonction de la fréquence des facteurs signalés. CONSTATATIONS PRINCIPALES: Notre revue systématique a identifié 18 études : neuf études de cohorte rétrospectives, six sondages transversaux et trois études avant-après. Les facteurs liés aux influences sociales, à la régulation comportementale, au contexte et aux ressources environnementaux et les croyances concernant les domaines de conséquences du TDF étaient les facteurs les plus rapportés. Les principaux facteurs sous-jacents à la variabilité observée dans la pratique transfusionnelle comprenaient les effets sociaux des pairs, de la patientèle et de la culture de l'établissement sur la prise de décision (influences sociales) et les caractéristiques de l'environnement de pratique, y compris le volume de cas, l'emplacement géographique et l'heure de début des cas (contexte/ressources environnementaux). Des études ont fait état de croyances variables sur les conséquences de la transfusion peropératoire et de l'anémie (croyances sur les conséquences). Des vérifications au niveau des prestataires et des établissements, des séances de formation et une communication accrue entre les chirurgien·nes et les anesthésiologistes ont été identifiées comme des stratégies pouvant optimiser la prise de décision transfusionnelle peropératoire (régulation comportementale). CONCLUSION: Notre revue systématique a synthétisé la littérature sur les facteurs non cliniques et comportementaux ayant une incidence sur la prise de décision transfusionnelle peropératoire, classés à l'aide du TDF. Ces résultats peuvent éclairer les interventions fondées sur des données probantes pour réduire la variabilité de transfusion peropératoire de culots sanguins. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/pm8zs/?view_only=166299ed28964804b9360c429b1218c1 ; soumis pour la première fois, 3 août 2022).

Operationalizing a patient engagement plan for health research: Sharing a codesigned planning template from a national clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Engaging with patients about their lived experience of health and illness and their experience within the healthcare system can help inform the provision of care, health policies and health research. In the context of health research, however, operationalizing the levels of patient engagement is not straightforward. We suggest that a key challenge to the routine inclusion of patients as partners in health research is a lack of tangible guidance regarding how this can be accomplished. METHODS: In this article, we provide guidance on how to codesign and operationalize a concrete patient engagement plan for any health research project. RESULTS: We illustrate a seven-step approach using the example of a national clinical trial in Canada and provide a patient engagement planning template for use in any health research project. CONCLUSION: Such concrete guidance should improve the design and reporting of patient engagement in health research. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The De-Implementing Wisely Research group is informed by a national 9-member patient partner council (PPC). The research team includes three lead patient partners who are coinvestigators on the grant that funds the program of research. Members of the council advise on all aspects of the study design and implementation. The ideas presented in this paper were informed by regular communication and planning with the PPC; specific contributions of lead patient partner authors are outlined as follows: Brian Johnston, Susan Goold and Vanessa Francis are patient partners with a wide breadth of experience in the healthcare system and health research projects. The guidance in this article draws on their lived and professional expertise. All patient partner authors contributed to the planning of the manuscript, participated in meetings to develop content and provided critical manuscript edits and comments on drafts.

Understanding determinants of patients' decisions to attend their family physician and to take antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections: a qualitative descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Although antibiotics have little or no benefit for most upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), they continue to be prescribed frequently in primary care. Physicians perceive that patients' expectations influence their antibiotic prescribing practice; however, not all patients seek antibiotic treatment despite having similar symptoms. In this study, we explored patients' views about URTIs, and the ways patients manage them (including attendance in primary care and taking antibiotics). METHODS: Using a qualitative descriptive design, adult English-speaking individuals at a Canadian health center were recruited through convenient sampling. The participants were interviewed using semi-structured interview guide based on the Common Sense-Self-Regulation Model (CS-SRM). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded according to CS-SRM dimensions (illness representations, coping strategies). Sampling continued until thematic saturation was achieved. Thematic analysis related to the dimensions of CS-SRM was applied. RESULTS: Generally, participants had accurate perception about the symptoms of URTIs, as well as how to prevent and manage them. However, some participants revealed misconceptions about the causes of URTIs. Almost all participants mentioned that they only visited their doctor if their symptoms got progressively worse and they could no longer self-manage the symptoms. When visiting a doctor, most participants reported that they did not seek antibiotics. They expected to receive an examination and an explanation for their symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our participants reported good understanding regarding the likely lack of benefit from antibiotics for URTIs. Developing interventions that specifically help patients discuss their concerns with their physicians, instead of providing more education to public may help in reducing the use of unnecessary antibiotics.

Using the theoretical domains framework to identify barriers and enablers to pediatric asthma management in primary care settings.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to apply a theory-based approach to identify barriers and enablers to implementing the Alberta Primary Care Asthma Pediatric Pathway (PCAPP) into clinical practice. Phase 1 included an assessment of assumptions underlying the intervention from the perspectives of the developers. Phase 2 determined the perceived barriers and enablers for: 1) primary care physicians' prescribing practices, 2) allied health care professionals' provision of asthma education to parents, and 3) children and parents' adherence to their treatment plans. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 35 individuals who reside in Alberta, Canada. Phase 1 included three developers. Phase 2 included 11 primary care physicians, 10 allied health care professionals, and 11 parents of children with asthma. Phase 2 interviews were based on the 14 domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Transcribed interviews were analyzed using a directed content analysis. Key assumptions by the developers about the intervention, and beliefs by others about the barriers and enablers of the targeted behaviors were identified. RESULTS: Eight TDF domains mapped onto the assumptions of the pathway as described by the intervention developers. Interviews with health care professionals and parents identified nine TDF domains that influenced the targeted behaviors: knowledge, skills, beliefs about capabilities, social/professional role and identity, beliefs about consequences, environmental context and resources, behavioral regulation, social influences, and emotions. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers and enablers perceived by health care professionals and parents that influenced asthma management will inform the optimization of the PCAPP prior to its evaluation.

Intermittent auscultation versus continuous fetal monitoring: exploring factors that influence birthing unit nurses' fetal surveillance practice using theoretical domains framework.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent Auscultation (IA) is the recommended method of fetal surveillance for healthy women in labour. However, the majority of women receive continuous electronic monitoring. We used the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore the views of Birthing Unit nurses about using IA as their primary method of fetal surveillance for healthy women in labour. METHODS: Using a semi-structured interview guide, we interviewed a convenience sample of birthing unit nurses throughout Ontario, Canada to elicit their views about fetal surveillance. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were content analysed using the TDF and themes were framed as belief statements. Domains potentially key to changing fetal surveillance behaviour and informing intervention design were identified by noting the frequencies of beliefs, content, and their reported influence on the use of IA. RESULTS: We interviewed 12 birthing unit nurses. Seven of the 12 TDF domains were perceived to be key to changing birthing unit nurses' behaviour The nurses reported that competing tasks, time constraints and the necessity to multitask often limit their ability to perform IA (domains Beliefs about capabilities; Environmental context and resources). Some nurses noted the decision to use IA was something that they consciously thought about with every patient while others stated it their default decision as long as there were no risk factors (Memory, attention and decision processes, Nature of behaviour). They identified positive consequences (e.g. avoid unnecessary interventions, mother-centered care) and negative consequences of using IA (e.g. legal concerns) and reported that the negative consequences can often outweigh positive consequences (Beliefs about consequences). Some reported that hospital policies and varying support from care teams inhibited their use of IA (Social influences), and that support from the entire team and hospital management would likely increase their use (Social influences; Behavioural regulation). CONCLUSION: We identified potential influences on birthing unit nurses' use of IA as their primary method of fetal surveillance. These beliefs suggest potential targets for behaviour change interventions to promote IA use.

Factors that influence effective perioperative temperature management by anesthesiologists: a qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

PURPOSE: Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia (IPH) is associated with a range of adverse outcomes. Safe and effective warming techniques exist to prevent IPH; however, IPH remains common. This study aimed to identify factors that anesthesiologists perceive may influence temperature management during the perioperative period. METHODS: After Research Ethics Board approval, semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff anesthesiologists at a Canadian academic hospital. An interview guide based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) was used to capture 14 theoretical domains that may influence temperature management. The interview transcripts were coded using direct content analysis to generate specific beliefs and to identify relevant TDF domains perceived to influence temperature management behaviour. RESULTS: Data saturation was achieved after 15 interviews. The following nine theoretical domains were identified as relevant to designing an intervention for practices in perioperative temperature management: knowledge, beliefs about capabilities, beliefs about consequences, reinforcement, memory/attention/decision-making, environmental context and resources, social/professional role/identity, social influences, and behavioural regulation. Potential target areas to improve temperature management practices include interventions that address information needs about individual temperature management behaviour as well as patient outcome (feedback), increasing awareness of possible temperature management strategies and guidelines, and a range of equipment and surgical team dynamics that influence temperature management. CONCLUSION: This study identified several potential target areas for future interventions from nine of the TDF behavioural domains that anesthesiologists perceive to drive their temperature management practices. Future interventions that aim to close the evidence-practice gap in perioperative temperature management may include these targets.

Using Blood Wisely: lessons learnt in establishing a national implementation programme to reduce inappropriate red blood cell transfusion.

BACKGROUND: Up to 50% of blood is transfused inappropriately despite best evidence. In 2020, Choosing Wisely Canada launched a major national programme, 'Using Blood Wisely', the aim was to engage hospitals to audit their red blood cell transfusion use against national benchmarks and participate in a programme to decrease inappropriate use. STUDY DESIGN: Using Blood Wisely is a quality improvement programme including national benchmarks, an audit tool, recommended evidence-based effective interventions and a designation to reward success. Hospital engagement was measured using the number of hospitals signing up, performing a baseline audit, submitting the planning survey, entering two or more audits and achieving hospital designation. Barriers to implementation were collected. RESULTS: From 1 September 2020 to 31 December 2022, 229 individual hospitals signed up over time to participate. Their results are reported as 159 hospitals and hospital groups. Collectively, this accounts for 72% of the blood used in Canada. Overall, 147 (92%) performed a baseline audit, 10 (6%) submitted a planning survey and 130 (82%) entered two or more audits. At baseline (time of enrolment), 75 (51%) met both benchmarks. The designation was awarded to 62 (39%) hospital groups (a total of 105 individual hospitals) that met and sustained benchmarks. Barriers to implementation included human resource shortages, lack of local expertise to advise the team, need for more education of transfusion prescribers and competing priorities. CONCLUSION: In its initial phase, Using Blood Wisely engaged a substantial number of hospitals in transfusion quality improvement work and maintained that engagement. This large-scale engagement across a big country was more successful than anticipated. Additional efforts are needed to rigorously evaluate the programme's impact on utilisation.

The big six: key principles for effective use of Behavior substitution in interventions to de-implement low-value care.

ABSTRACT: Healthcare professionals provide care to help patients; however, sometimes that care is of low value - at best ineffective and at worst harmful. To address this, recent frameworks provide guidance for developing and investigating de-implementation interventions; yet little attention has been devoted to identifying what strategies are most effective for de-implementation. In this paper, we discuss Behavior substitution, a strategy whereby an unwanted behavior is replaced with a wanted behavior, thereby making it hypothetically easier to reduce or stop the unwanted behavior. We discuss why Behavior substitution may be a useful de-implementation strategy, and why it may not be suitable for all circumstances. On the basis of the body of knowledge in behavioral science, we propose a list of principles to consider when selecting a substitute behavior for a de-implementation intervention. Applying these principles should increase the likelihood that this technique will be effective in reducing low-value care.

Barriers and enablers towards benzodiazepine-receptor agonists deprescribing in nursing homes: A qualitative study of stakeholder groups.

Background: Despite recommendations to deprescribe chronic benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRA) among older adults, the prevalence of their use in Belgian nursing homes (NHs) remains above 50%. The use of a behavioral science approach, starting with the evaluation of barriers and enablers for BZRA deprescribing, has the potential to decrease BZRA prescribing. Objectives: To identify barriers and enablers for BZRA deprescribing perceived by the different stakeholders involved in nursing home care in Belgium. Methods: In a purposive sample of 6 NHs, we conducted face-to-face interviews with general practitioners (GPs), and focus groups with other healthcare providers (HCPs), including nurses, pharmacists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and with NH residents and relatives. All interviews with HCPs were analyzed through deductive thematic analysis, using the theoretical domains framework (TDF) as the coding framework. Residents' and relatives' interviews were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Results: We interviewed 13 GPs, 35 other HCPs, 22 nursing home residents, and 5 relatives. Overall, 9 TDF domains were identified as most relevant among HCPs interviewed: Skills, Beliefs about capabilities, Goals, Memory attention and decision processes, Environmental context and resources, Social influences, Knowledge, Social/professional role and identity, and Beliefs about consequences. Five additional themes emerged from residents' and relatives' interviews: knowledge on medications used, communication with NH staff and GPs, perceived efficacy and necessity of BZRA, influence of the environment, and reluctance towards BZRA deprescribing. Some domains and themes differ between stakeholders (e.g., knowledge), while others match between groups (e.g., environmental aspects). Conclusion: BZRA deprescribing is influenced by knowledge and skills gaps, automatic BZRA refilling, competing priorities, social challenges, environmental factors and poor nursing home residents involvement. Targeting these barriers will be a key step for implementation of BZRA deprescribing.

Healthcare professional behaviour: health impact, prevalence of evidence-based behaviours, correlates and interventions.

Healthcare professional (HCP) behaviours are actions performed by individuals and teams for varying and often complex patient needs. However, gaps exist between evidence-informed care behaviours and the care provided. Implementation science seeks to develop generalizable principles and approaches to investigate and address care gaps, supporting HCP behaviour change while building a cumulative science. We highlight theory-informed approaches for defining HCP behaviour and investigating the prevalence of evidence-based care and known correlates and interventions to change professional practice. Behavioural sciences can be applied to develop implementation strategies to support HCP behaviour change and provide valid, reliable tools to evaluate these strategies. There are thousands of different behaviours performed by different HCPs across many contexts, requiring different implementation approaches. HCP behaviours can include activities related to promoting health and preventing illness, assessing and diagnosing illnesses, providing treatments, managing health conditions, managing the healthcare system and building therapeutic alliances. The key challenge is optimising behaviour change interventions that address barriers to and enablers of recommended practice. HCP behaviours may be determined by, but not limited to, Knowledge, Social influences, Intention, Emotions and Goals. Understanding HCP behaviour change is a critical to ensuring advances in health psychology are applied to maximize population health.

"I think there has to be a mutual respect for there to be value": Evaluating patient engagement in a national clinical trial on de-implementation of low value care.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of patient engagement in research is understudied and under-reported, making it difficult to know what engagement strategies work best and when. We provide the results of an evaluation of patient engagement in a large Canadian research program focused on the de-implementation of low-value care. We aimed to evaluate the experience and impact of patient engagement in the study. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was administered using Microsoft Forms to (1) researchers and study staff and (2) patient partners. The survey was developed following iterative reviews by the project's patient partnership council and evaluation committee. Survey content areas included opinions on patient engagement to date, including challenges to engagement and suggestions for improvement. Patient partners also evaluated the partnership council. Descriptive statistics including counts and percentages described Likert scale survey items, while open comments were analyzed using descriptive content analysis. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 46% (17/37). There were positive attitudes about the value of patient engagement in this project. There was also a high degree of willingness to be involved with patient engagement in future projects, whether as a patient partner or as a researcher including patients on the research team. Most patient partners felt their contributions to the project were valued by researchers and study research staff. Open comments revealed that a co-design approach and full inclusion on the research team were integral to demonstrating the value of patient partner input. Areas for improvement included more frequent and ongoing communication among all team members, as well as earlier training about patient engagement, particularly addressing role expectations and role clarity. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed that despite some challenges, team members recognized the value of patient engagement in research and agreed project decisions had been impacted by patient partner input. Ongoing communication was highlighted as an area for improvement, as well as earlier training and ongoing support for all team members, but particularly researchers and study staff. In response to evaluation data, the team has reinstated a quarterly newsletter and plans to use specific patient engagement planning templates across study sites for all project activities. These tools should help make expectations clear for all team members and contribute to a positive patient engagement experience. Findings can inform patient engagement planning and evaluation for other health research projects.

Evaluating patient engagement in research is often not done or not reported, making it hard to know what engagement strategies work best and when. Here, we provide the results of an evaluation of patient engagement in a Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) Innovative Clinical Trial Multi-Year Grant. The project focuses on strategies to reduce two low-value care practices (pre-operative testing in low-risk day surgery and imaging for low back pain). An online survey was sent to project researchers, study staff and patient partners to get their opinions on the patient engagement in the project. Generally, there were positive attitudes about the value of patient engagement in the project. Both patient partners and research study staff were very willing to be involved with patient engagement in future projects. Most patient partners felt their contributions to the project were valued by researchers and study research staff. An important part of showing the value of patient partners was working together to design the project and making sure that the patient partners were considered full members of the research team. Areas for improvement included better communication among all team members and earlier training about patient engagement with a focus on patient roles and expectations. The results from this survey will be used to improve the patient engagement in this project but will also help patient engagement planning and evaluation for other health research projects.

"Apparently, you can only be treated once": A qualitative study exploring perceptions of hepatitis C and access to treatment among people who inject drugs visiting a needle and syringe program.

BACKGROUND: Access to hepatitis C care within harm reduction community organizations for people who inject drugs is crucial for achieving hepatitis C elimination. However, there is a lack of data on how perceptions of hepatitis C and treatment have changed among individuals visiting these organizations during the era of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). This study aimed to explore the perceptions of hepatitis C and treatment access for (re)infection among individuals visiting a needle and syringe program in Canada. METHODS: Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals who recently injected drugs and visited a needle and syringe program. The interviews were guided by the Common-Sense Self-Regulation Model (CS-SRM) and aimed to explore cognitive and emotional representations of hepatitis C, perceptions of treatment, coping strategies and sources of information. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Most of the participants identified as male, were of white ethnicity and had a median age of 45. While most underscored the therapeutic advancements and the effectiveness of DAAs, they expressed confusion regarding the mechanisms of access to treatment, especially in cases of reinfection. Perceptions of the controllability of hepatitis C were significantly influenced by the stigmatizing discourse surrounding treatment access, cost, and public coverage. This influence extended to their intentions for seeking treatment. Participants emphasized the social consequences of hepatitis C, including stigma. Emotional representations of hepatitis C evolved along the care cascade, encompassing initial shock at diagnosis and later fear of reinfection following successful treatment. CONCLUSION: Nearly a decade after the advent of DAAs, misinformation about treatment access persists. Findings underscore a nexus of internalized and institutionalized stigma associated with hepatitis C, drug use, and the challenges of cost and access to treatment, pointing to a clear need for education and service delivery optimisation in harm reduction community organizations.

A qualitative study exploring perceived barriers and enablers to fidelity of training and delivery for an intervention to reduce non-indicated imaging for low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Non-specific low back pain (LBP) commonly presents to primary care, where inappropriate use of imaging remains common despite guideline recommendations against its routine use. Little is known about strategies to enhance intervention fidelity (i.e., whether interventions were implemented as intended) for interventions developed to reduce non-indicated imaging for LBP. OBJECTIVES: We aim to inform the development of an intervention to reduce non-indicated imaging among general practitioners (GPs) and chiropractors in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada. The study objectives are: [1] To explore perceived barriers and enablers to enhancing fidelity of training of GPs and chiropractors to deliver a proposed intervention to reduce non-indicated imaging for LBP and [2] To explore perceived barriers and enablers to enhancing fidelity of delivery of the proposed intervention. METHODS: An exploratory, qualitative study was conducted with GPs and chiropractors in NL. The interview guide was informed by the National Institutes of Health Behavior Change Consortium fidelity checklist; data analysis was guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Participant quotes were coded into TDF domains, belief statements were generated at each domain, and domains relevant to enhancing fidelity of provider training or intervention delivery were identified. RESULTS: The study included five GPs and five chiropractors from urban and rural settings. Barriers and enablers to enhancing fidelity to provider training related to seven TDF domains: [1] Beliefs about capabilities, [2] Optimism, [3] Reinforcement, [4] Memory, attention, and decision processes, [5] Environmental context and resources, [6] Emotion, and [7] Behavioural regulation. Barriers and enablers to enhancing fidelity to intervention delivery related to seven TDF domains: [1] Beliefs about capabilities, [2] Optimism, [3] Goals, [4] Memory, attention, and decision processes, [5] Environmental context and resources, [6] Social influences, and [7] Behavioural regulation. CONCLUSION: The largest perceived barrier to attending training was time; perceived enablers were incentives and flexible training. Patient pressure, time, and established habits were perceived barriers to delivering the intervention as intended. Participants suggested enhancement strategies to improve their ability to deliver the intervention as intended, including reminders and check-ins with researchers. Most participants perceived intervention fidelity as important. These results may aid in the development of a more feasible and pragmatic intervention to reduce non-indicated imaging for GPs and chiropractors in NL.

Resources available for parent-provider vaccine communication in pregnancy in Canada: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: Vaccination in pregnancy (VIP) is a protective measure for pregnant individuals and their babies. Healthcare provider's (HCP) recommendations are important in promoting VIP. However, a lack of strong recommendations and accessible resources to facilitate communication impact uptake. This study sought to determine the extent of and characterise the resources available for parent-provider vaccine communication in pregnancy in Canada using a behavioural theory-informed approach. DESIGN: Scoping review. METHODS: In accordance with the JBI methodology, nine disciplinary and interdisciplinary databases were searched, and a systematic grey literature search was conducted in March and January 2022, respectively. Eligible studies included resources available to HCPs practising in Canada when discussing VIP, and resources tailored to pregnant individuals. Two reviewers piloted a representative sample of published and grey literature using inclusion-exclusion criteria and the Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, Significance guidelines (for grey literature only). Sixty-five published articles and 1079 grey reports were screened for eligibility, of which 19 articles and 166 reports were included, respectively. RESULTS: From the 19 published literature articles and 166 grey literature reports, 95% were driven by the 'Knowledge' domain of the Theoretical Domains Framework, while n=34 (18%) addressed the 'Skills' domain. Other gaps included a lack of VIP-specific tools to address hesitancy and a lack of information on culturally safe counselling practices. CONCLUSION: The study suggests a need for resources in Canada to improve VIP communication skills and improve access to vaccination information for HCPs and pregnant individuals. The absence of such resources may hinder VIP uptake.

Beyond guideline knowledge: a theory-based qualitative study of low-value preoperative testing.

BACKGROUND: Choosing Wisely Canada and most major anesthesia and preoperative guidelines recommend against obtaining preoperative tests before low-risk procedures. However, these recommendations alone have not reduced low-value test ordering. In this study, the theoretical domains framework (TDF) was used to understand the drivers of preoperative electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest X-ray (CXR) ordering for patients undergoing low-risk surgery ('low-value preoperative testing') among anesthesiologists, internal medicine specialists, nurses, and surgeons. METHODS: Using snowball sampling, preoperative clinicians working in a single health system in Canada were recruited for semi-structured interviews about low-value preoperative testing. The interview guide was developed using the TDF to identify the factors that influence preoperative ECG and CXR ordering. Interview content was deductively coded using TDF domains and specific beliefs were identified by grouping similar utterances. Domain relevance was established based on belief statement frequency, presence of conflicting beliefs, and perceived influence over preoperative test ordering practices. RESULTS: Sixteen clinicians (7 anesthesiologists, 4 internists, 1 nurse, and 4 surgeons) participated. Eight of the 12 TDF domains were identified as the drivers of preoperative test ordering. While most participants agreed that the guidelines were helpful, they also expressed distrust in the evidence behind them (knowledge). Both a lack of clarity about the responsibilities of the specialties involved in the preoperative process and the ease by which any clinician could order, but not cancel tests, were drivers of low-value preoperative test ordering (social/professional role and identity, social influences, belief about capabilities). Additionally, low-value tests could also be ordered by nurses or the surgeon and may be completed before the anesthesia or internal medicine preoperative assessment appointment (environmental context and resources, beliefs about capabilities). Finally, while participants agreed that they did not intend to routinely order low-value tests and understood that these would not benefit patient outcomes, they also reported ordering tests to prevent surgery cancellations and problems during surgery (motivation and goals, beliefs about consequences, social influences). CONCLUSIONS: We identified key factors that anesthesiologists, internists, nurses, and surgeons believe influence preoperative test ordering for patients undergoing low-risk surgeries. These beliefs highlight the need to shift away from knowledge-based interventions and focus instead on understanding local drivers of behaviour and target change at the individual, team, and institutional levels.

Understanding Intraoperative Transfusion Decision-Making Variability: A Qualitative Study.

There is evidence of significant intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion variability that cannot be explained by case-mix, and may reflect unwarranted transfusions. The objective was to explore the source of intraoperative RBC transfusion variability by eliciting the beliefs of anesthesiologists and surgeons that underlie transfusion decisions. Interviews based on the Theoretical Domains Framework were conducted to identify beliefs about intraoperative transfusion. Content analysis was performed to group statements into domains. Relevant domains were selected based on frequency of beliefs, perceived influence on transfusion, and the presence of conflicting beliefs within domains. Of the 28 transfusion experts recruited internationally (16 anesthesiologists, 12 surgeons), 24 (86%) were Canadian or American and 11 (39%) identified as female. Eight relevant domains were identified: (1) Knowledge (insufficient evidence to guide intraoperative transfusion), (2) Social/professional role and identity (surgeons/anesthesiologists share responsibility for transfusions), (3) Beliefs about consequences (concerns about morbidity of transfusion/anemia), (4) Environmental context/resources (transfusions influenced by type of surgery, local blood supply, cost of transfusion), (5) Social influences (institutional culture, judgment by peers, surgeon-anesthesiologist relationship, patient preference influencing transfusion decisions), (6) Behavioral regulation (need for intraoperative transfusion guidelines, usefulness of audits and educational sessions to guide transfusion), (7) Nature of the behaviors (overtransfusion remains commonplace, transfusion practice becoming more restrictive over time), and (8) Memory, attention, and decision processes (various patient and operative characteristics are incorporated into transfusion decisions). This study identified a range of factors underlying intraoperative transfusion decision-making and partly explain the variability in transfusion behavior. Targeted theory-informed behavior-change interventions derived from this work could help reduce intraoperative transfusion variability.

Physician-reported barriers to using evidence-based antibiotic prescription guidelines in primary care: protocol for a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

INTRODUCTION: Overprescription of antibiotics poses a significant threat to healthcare globally as it contributes to the issue of antibiotic resistance. While antibiotics should be predominately prescribed for bacterial infections, they are often inappropriately given for uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and related conditions, such as the common cold. This study will involve a qualitative systematic review of physician-reported barriers to using evidence-based antibiotic prescription guidelines in primary care settings and synthesise the findings using a theoretical basis. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a systematic review of qualitative studies that assess physicians' reported barriers to following evidence-based antibiotic prescription guidelines in primary care settings for URTIs. We plan to search the following databases with no date or language restrictions: MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, the Cochrane Library and PsycInfo. Qualitative studies that explore the barriers and enablers to following antibiotic prescription guidelines for URTIs for primary care physicians will be included. We will analyse our findings using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), which is a theoretically designed resource based on numerous behaviour change theories grouped into 14 domains. Using the TDF approach, we will be able to identify the determinants of our behaviour of interest (ie, following antibiotic prescription guidelines for URTIs) and categorise them into the 14 TDF domains. This will provide the necessary information to develop future evidence-based interventions that will target the identified issues and apply the most effective behaviour change techniques to affect change. This protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences.

Identifying barriers and enablers to opt-out hepatitis C virus screening in provincial prisons in Quebec, Canada: A multilevel, multi-theory informed qualitative study with correctional and healthcare professional stakeholders.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse implementation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment is dependent on universal screening for HCV, but screening strategies are heterogenous across prisons in the province of Quebec (Canada). We sought to identify barriers and enablers to universal opt-out HCV screening and to describe the multisectoral decision-making processes related to HCV screening in Quebec provincial prisons. METHODS: A multilevel, multi-theory informed qualitative descriptive approach was used to conduct semi-structured interviews. Interview guides and analyses with correctional stakeholders were informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and those with healthcare professionals (HCPs) were based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Directed content analysis was used to identify domains within CFIR and TDF reflecting barriers and enablers to opt-out HCV screening. RESULTS: Sixteen interviews (correctional stakeholders: n = 8; HCPs: n = 8) were conducted in April-May 2021. Twelve CFIR constructs were identified as barriers, seven as enablers, and two as neutral factors for the implementation of opt-out HCV screening. Correctional stakeholders underscored the need for political will (construct: external policy and incentives), highlighted limited resources (construct: available resources), and expressed concerns for the lack of consideration of implementation issues (constructs: trialability, planning). Six TDF domains were identified among HCPs as relevant to the implementation of opt-out HCV screening: beliefs about consequences (mixed = enablers and barriers), environmental context and resources (barrier), social influences (barrier), optimism (mixed), emotions (mixed), and behavioural regulation (barrier). The decision-making processes vis-à-vis HCV care in Quebec correctional settings were found to be hierarchical and complex. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CFIR and TDF was helpful in identifying barriers and enablers to HCV screening at multiple levels for people incarcerated in Quebec provincial prisons. Going forward, several political, structural, and organizational factors should be addressed through the engagement of stakeholders and people with lived experience of incarceration.