Scaling-Up Stage 4 Pediatric Obesity Clinics: Identifying Barriers and Future Directions Using Implementation Science.

Nearly one-fifth of the pediatric population in the United States has obesity. Comprehensive behavioral interventions, with at least 26 contact hours, are the recommended treatment for pediatric obesity; however, there are various barriers to implementing treatment. This Perspective applies the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) framework to address barriers to implementing multidisciplinary pediatric weight management clinics and identify potential solutions and areas for additional research. Lack of insurance coverage and reimbursement, high operating costs, and limited access to stage 4 care clinics with sufficient capacity were among the main barriers identified. Clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates are encouraged to facilitate conversations with insurance companies and hospital and clinic administrators, increase telehealth adoption, request training to improve competency and self-efficacy discussing and implementing obesity care, and advocate for more stage 4 clinics.

Statistical Regression Model of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; Treatment Coverage; and Environmental Influences on School-Level Soil-Transmitted Helminths and Schistosome Prevalence in Kenya: Secondary Analysis of the National Deworming Program Data.

According to the Kenya National School-Based Deworming program launched in 2012 and implemented for the first 5 years (2012-2017), the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and schistosomiasis substantially reduced over the mentioned period among the surveyed schools. However, this reduction is heterogeneous. In this study, we aimed to determine the factors associated with the 5-year school-level infection prevalence and relative reduction (RR) in prevalence in Kenya following the implementation of the program. Multiple variables related to treatment, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and environmental factors were assembled and included in mixed-effects linear regression models to identify key determinants of the school location STH and schistosomiasis prevalence and RR. Reduced prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was associated with low (< 1%) baseline prevalence, seven rounds of treatment, high (50-75%) self-reported coverage of household handwashing facility equipped with water and soap, high (20-25°C) land surface temperature, and community population density of 5-10 people per 100 m2. Reduced hookworm prevalence was associated with low (< 1%) baseline prevalence and the presence of a school feeding program. Reduced Trichuris trichiura prevalence was associated with low (< 1%) baseline prevalence. Reduced Schistosoma mansoni prevalence was associated with low (< 1%) baseline prevalence, three treatment rounds, and high (> 75%) reported coverage of a household improved water source. Reduced Schistosoma haematobium was associated with high aridity index. Analysis indicated that a combination of factors, including the number of treatment rounds, multiple related program interventions, community- and school-level WASH, and several environmental factors had a major influence on the school-level infection transmission and reduction.

The experiences of using polio outbreak simulation exercises to strengthen national outbreaks preparedness and response plans in sub-Saharan Africa.

INTRODUCTION: globally, by 2020 the paralytic poliomyelitis disease burden decreased to over 99% of the reported cases in 1988 when resolution 41.8 was endorsed by the World Health Assembly (WHA) for global polio eradication. It is clearly understood that, if there is Wild Poliovirus (WPV) and circulating Vaccines Derived Poliovirus (cVDPV) in the world, no country is safe from polio outbreaks. All countries remain at high risk of re-importation depending on the level of the containment of the types vaccine withdrawn, the laboratory poliovirus isolates, and the population immunity induced by the vaccination program. In this regard, countries to have polio outbreak preparedness and response plans, and conducting the polio outbreak simulation exercises for these plans remain important. METHODS: we conducted a cross-section qualitative study to review to 8 countries conducted polio outbreak simulation exercises in the East and Southern Africa from 2016 to 2018. The findings were categorized into 5 outbreak response thematic areas analyzed qualitatively and summarized them on their strengths and weaknesses. RESULTS: we found out that, most countries have the overall technical capacities and expertise to deal with outbreaks to a certain extent. Nevertheless, we noted that the national polio outbreak preparedness and response plans were not comprehensive enough to provide proper guidance in responding to outbreaks. The guidelines were inadequately aligned with the WHO POSOPs, and IHR 2005. Additionally, most participants who participated in the simulation exercises were less familiar with their preparedness and response plans, the WHO POSOPs, and therefore reported to be sensitized. CONCLUSION: we also realized that, in all countries where the polio simulation exercise conducted, their national polio outbreak preparedness and response plan was revised to be improved in line with the WHO POSOPs and IHR 2005. we, therefore, recommend the polio outbreak simulation exercises to be done in every country with an interval of 3-5 years.

Reduced risk of vasovagal reactions in Australian whole blood donors after national implementation of applied muscle tension and water loading.

BACKGROUND: A new national donor safety initiative was introduced in Australia in 2018, which aimed to encourage all whole blood donors to water load and to use applied muscle tension. This study evaluated the effect of this initiative on the rate of vasovagal reactions (VVR). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Routinely collected data were used to identify whole blood donations and any associated VVRs before (n = 167,056 donations) and after implementation (n = 215,572 donations). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the differences in VVR rates. RESULTS: The total rate of VVRs declined from 22.5 per 1000 donations to 20.6 per 1000 donations after implementation, a reduction of 8% (p < 0.001). The rate of presyncopal reactions decreased by 8% in new donors and 12% in repeat donors. No impact was observed on the rate of syncope in any of the groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated the odds of experiencing a presyncopal reaction was reduced by 13% following implementation, with no significant effects on syncope. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study support the use of water loading and applied muscle tension in routine whole blood collection to reduce the incidence of VVRs.

Waiting for common-law solutions for the most vulnerable populations' healthcare access.

BACKGROUND: The state of populations' health is linked to their access to quality healthcare. Best achieving this primary condition - a health, social and humanitarian condition - is an ongoing public policy objective. Although significant effort goes into this, do public policies sufficiently take into account the state of health of the most vulnerable populations? In France, reducing the non-take-up (NTU) of healthcare is a priority in current national health insurance policy. Under the local plans to tackle non-take-up, lack of understanding and exit from the system (PLANIR), national health insurance is currently rolling out a regional and partnership-based intervention framework in order to prevent NTU of healthcare by welfare clients. This social investment is unprecedented, yet the impact of the framework on the most vulnerable populations still seems to be limited. METHOD: The study of this example is based on monitoring of the framework's general implementation. This task was entrusted to the research team co-founded by the author, ODENORE (Observatory for the Non-take-up of Social Rights and Public Services). It is organized in four parts: quantitative monitoring of the detection and addressing of non-take-up situations (n=160,000 questionnaires); analysis of the results through qualitative interviews with beneficiaries and individuals who rejected the framework (n=365 interviews); analysis of the framework's implementation, using qualitative interviews and participant observations at the services in charge of the framework's implementation (n=18 collective interviews across three sites), and an analysis of the partnership through collective interviews with all the actors in the areas involved in the framework (three sites). RESULTS: The analysis shows that the integration of the most vulnerable populations' state of health into a common-law framework for intervention is hindered by three limitations: the framework's neutrality regarding public decisions and non-decisions that exacerbate social and regional health inequalities; its organizational design, which does not take into account the need for long-term medical-psycho-social care; and the absence of regulation capable of bringing together and coordinating the actors working towards healthcare access locally but with different populations. CONCLUSION: The difficulties of integrating the most vulnerable populations into a common-law framework such as the one proposed by the national health insurance do not seem insurmountable-provided, that is, that the regulatory authority (the regional health agencies) are willing and able to make it a strategic organizational objective at local level.

A conceptual framework and metrics for evaluating multicomponent interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening within an organized screening program.

BACKGROUND: Multicomponent, evidence-based interventions are viewed increasingly as essential for increasing the use of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening to meet national targets. Multicomponent interventions involve complex care pathways and interactions across multiple levels, including the individual, health system, and community. METHODS: The authors developed a framework and identified metrics and data elements to evaluate the implementation processes, effectiveness, and cost effectiveness of multicomponent interventions used in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Colorectal Cancer Control Program. RESULTS: Process measures to evaluate the implementation of interventions to increase community and patient demand for CRC screening, increase patient access, and increase provider delivery of services are presented. In addition, performance measures are identified to assess implementation processes along the continuum of care for screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Series of intermediate and long-term outcome and cost measures also are presented to evaluate the impact of the interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the effectiveness of multicomponent, evidence-based interventions and identifying successful approaches that can be replicated in other settings are essential to increase screening and reduce CRC burden. The use of common framework, data elements, and evaluation methods will allow the performance of comparative assessments of the interventions implemented across CRCCP sites to identify best practices for increasing colorectal screening, particularly among underserved populations, to reduce disparities in CRC incidence and mortality.

[Temporary approval for intranasal naloxone: Setting up in a French addiction center]. / Pratique de l'ATU de cohorte de la naloxone intranasale (Nalscue®) : mise en place dans un CSAPA parisien.

Intranasal naloxone aims at preventing opioid overdose related deaths in active drug users. In France, it has been available since July 2016 through a temporary approval which requires a hospital-based pharmacy and a nominative registration of each patient. We present the characteristics of the first patients who could receive this prescription in our hospital-based addiction center and how they used naloxone during follow-up. Results favor a larger dispensing of naloxone. Patients' as well as peers' and families' education is needed.

[Health Statistics in Senegal: between political stakes and role playing]. / Production des statistiques sanitaires au Sénégal : entre enjeux politiques et jeux d'acteurs.

INTRODUCTION: Many countries have developed disease surveillance systems to deal with epidemics, but although health information systems have existed for more than two decades, constraints and biases in data collection limit the relevance of policy decisions and strategies in the field of health, as priority has been given to education and health in developing countries. Donor support has led to the development of systems for the production of statistics, designed, among other things, to more clearly target interventions in terms of educational objectives, action and credibility and enable health systems to continue to benefit from external funding. METHODS: We used a classical anthropology approach based on observations and in-depth interviews with local and national health system actors. RESULTS: The aim of this article is to analyse the real effects of the production of health statistics in health care systems and to determine the relevance of these figures in the context in which they apply. DISCUSSIONS: Health priorities defined by international organizations and technical and financial partners focus on diseases considered to be ?priorities? to the detriment of neglected diseases, which are perceived as being more important at the local level due to their impact on the already limited health systems. We describe how health actors within healthcare structures adjust and adapt to public health requirements.

CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS TO CONTROL LEPROSY AND THE PERSPECTIVE OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN BRAZIL: A PRIMER FOR NON-EPIDEMIOLOGISTS / Quimioprofilaxia para prevenção de hanseníase e sua implantação no Brasil: uma explicação introdutória para não epidemiologistas

The occurrence of leprosy has decreased in the world but the perspective of its elimination has been questioned. A proposed control measure is the use of post-exposure chemoprophylaxis (PEP) among contacts, but there are still questions about its operational aspects. In this text we discuss the evidence available in literature, explain some concepts in epidemiology commonly used in the research on this topic, analyze the appropriateness of implementing PEP in the context of Brazil, and answer a set of key questions. We argue some points: (1) the number of contacts that need to receive PEP in order to prevent one additional case of disease is not easy to be generalized from the studies; (2) areas covered by the family health program are the priority settings where PEP could be implemented; (3) there is no need for a second dose; (4) risk for drug resistance seems to be very small; (5) the usefulness of a serological test to identify a higher risk group of individuals among contacts is questionable. Given that, we recommend that, if it is decided to start PEP in Brazil, it should start on a small scale and, as new evidence can be generated in terms of feasibility, sustainability and impact, it could move up a scale, or not, for a wider intervention.

A ocorrência de hanseníase tem diminuído no mundo apesar de que a perspectiva de sua eliminação tem sido questionada. Uma proposta para o controle da endemia é a quimioprofilaxia pós-exposição entre contatos (post-exposure chemoprophylaxis, PEP), embora ainda existam dúvidas quanto aos seus aspectos operacionais e generalização de resultados. Nesse texto nós discutimos as evidências disponíveis na literatura, explicamos alguns conceitos epidemiológicos comumente encontrados em pesquisa sobre PEP e a implantação da PEP no contexto brasileiro. Nós argumentamos que: (1) a estimativa em diferentes estudos do numero de contatos necessário para receber PEP para prevenir um novo caso de hanseníase (number needed to treat, NNT) não é facilmente generalizável; (2) áreas cobertas pelo programa de saúde da família são as áreas prioritárias onde PEP poderia ser implantado; (3) não existe necessidade de segunda dose da quimioprofilaxia; (4) o risco de resistência à droga usada na PEP parece ser muito pequeno; (5) questionamos a necessidade de teste sorológico para identificar indivíduos entre os contatos que tenham maior risco de doença. Nós opinamos que, se houver uma decisão para se iniciar PEP no Brasil, essa intervenção deveria ser iniciada em pequena escala e, à proporção que novas evidências são geradas sobre a factibilidade, sustentabilidade e impacto da intervenção, a intervenção com PEP poderia ou não ser usada em larga escala.

Implementing a user-driven online quality improvement toolkit for cancer care.

PURPOSE: Peer-to-peer collaboration within integrated health systems requires a mechanism for sharing quality improvement lessons. The Veterans Health Administration (VA) developed online compendia of tools linked to specific cancer quality indicators. We evaluated awareness and use of the toolkits, variation across facilities, impact of social marketing, and factors influencing toolkit use. METHODS: A diffusion of innovations conceptual framework guided the collection of user activity data from the Toolkit Series SharePoint site and an online survey of potential Lung Cancer Care Toolkit users. RESULTS: The VA Toolkit Series site had 5,088 unique visitors in its first 22 months; 5% of users accounted for 40% of page views. Social marketing communications were correlated with site usage. Of survey respondents (n = 355), 54% had visited the site, of whom 24% downloaded at least one tool. Respondents' awareness of the lung cancer quality performance of their facility, and facility participation in quality improvement collaboratives, were positively associated with Toolkit Series site use. Facility-level lung cancer tool implementation varied widely across tool types. CONCLUSION: The VA Toolkit Series achieved widespread use and a high degree of user engagement, although use varied widely across facilities. The most active users were aware of and active in cancer care quality improvement. Toolkit use seemed to be reinforced by other quality improvement activities. A combination of user-driven tool creation and centralized toolkit development seemed to be effective for leveraging health information technology to spread disease-specific quality improvement tools within an integrated health care system.

The implementation of mindfulness in healthcare systems: a theoretical analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence regarding the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) is increasing exponentially; however, there are still challenges to their integration in healthcare systems. Our goal is to provide a conceptual framework that addresses these challenges in order to bring about scholarly dialog and support health managers and practitioners with the implementation of MBIs in healthcare. METHOD: This is an opinative narrative review based on theoretical and empirical data that address key issues in the implementation of mindfulness in healthcare systems, such as the training of professionals, funding and costs of interventions, cost effectiveness and innovative delivery models. RESULTS: We show that even in the United Kingdom, where mindfulness has a high level of implementation, there is a high variability in the access to MBIs. In addition, we discuss innovative approaches based on "complex interventions," "stepped-care" and "low intensity-high volume" concepts that may prove fruitful in the development and implementation of MBIs in national healthcare systems, particularly in Primary Care. CONCLUSION: In order to better understand barriers and opportunities for mindfulness implementation in healthcare systems, it is necessary to be aware that MBIs are "complex interventions," which require innovative approaches and delivery models to implement these interventions in a cost-effective and accessible way.

CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS TO CONTROL LEPROSY AND THE PERSPECTIVE OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN BRAZIL: A PRIMER FOR NON-EPIDEMIOLOGISTS.

The occurrence of leprosy has decreased in the world but the perspective of its elimination has been questioned. A proposed control measure is the use of post-exposure chemoprophylaxis (PEP) among contacts, but there are still questions about its operational aspects. In this text we discuss the evidence available in literature, explain some concepts in epidemiology commonly used in the research on this topic, analyze the appropriateness of implementing PEP in the context of Brazil, and answer a set of key questions. We argue some points: (1) the number of contacts that need to receive PEP in order to prevent one additional case of disease is not easy to be generalized from the studies; (2) areas covered by the family health program are the priority settings where PEP could be implemented; (3) there is no need for a second dose; (4) risk for drug resistance seems to be very small; (5) the usefulness of a serological test to identify a higher risk group of individuals among contacts is questionable. Given that, we recommend that, if it is decided to start PEP in Brazil, it should start on a small scale and, as new evidence can be generated in terms of feasibility, sustainability and impact, it could move up a scale, or not, for a wider intervention.

Stage 1 of the meaningful use incentive program for electronic health records: a study of readiness for change in ambulatory practice settings in one integrated delivery system.

BACKGROUND: Meaningful Use (MU) provides financial incentives for electronic health record (EHR) implementation. EHR implementation holds promise for improving healthcare delivery, but also requires substantial changes for providers and staff. Establishing readiness for these changes may be important for realizing potential EHR benefits. Our study assesses whether provider/staff perceptions about the appropriateness of MU and their departments' ability to support MU-related changes are associated with their reported readiness for MU-related changes. METHODS: We surveyed providers and staff representing 47 ambulatory practices within an integrated delivery system. We assessed whether respondent's role and practice-setting type (primary versus specialty care) were associated with reported readiness for MU (i.e., willingness to change practice behavior and ability to document actions for MU) and hypothesized predictors of readiness (i.e., perceived appropriateness of MU and department support for MU). We then assessed associations between reported readiness and the hypothesized predictors of readiness. RESULTS: In total, 400 providers/staff responded (response rate approximately 25%). Individuals working in specialty settings were more likely to report that MU will divert attention from other patient-care priorities (12.6% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.019), as compared to those in primary-care settings. As compared to advanced-practice providers and nursing staff, physicians were less likely to have strong confidence in their department's ability to solve MU implementation problems (28.4% vs. 47.1% vs. 42.6%, p = 0.023) and to report strong willingness to change their work practices for MU (57.9% vs. 83.3% vs. 82.0%, p < 0.001). Finally, provider/staff perceptions about whether MU aligns with departmental goals (OR = 3.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.13 to 7.48); MU will divert attention from other patient-care priorities (OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.26 to 4.06); their department will support MU-related change efforts (OR = 3.99, 95% CI = 2.13 to 7.48); and their department will be able to solve MU implementation problems (OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.26 to 4.06) were associated with their willingness to change practice behavior for MU. CONCLUSIONS: Organizational leaders should gauge provider/staff perceptions about appropriateness and management support of MU-related change, as these perceptions might be related to subsequent implementation.

Bridging the gap between what is known and what we do in renal medicine: improving implementability of the European Renal Best Practice guidelines.

The increasing volume of evidence on how to treat kidney patients makes it difficult for nephrologists and renal nurses to keep up-to-date. This potentially widens the gap between what is known about best practice and how daily renal care is provided. Rigorously developed clinical practice guidelines can be important tools to bridge this gap. However, just developing and publishing guidelines does not ensure their use in actual practice. In this paper, we distinguish and illustrate three types of modifiable factors (i.e. barriers) that potentially impede renal healthcare professionals to provide care according to the guidelines: barriers related to knowledge, to attitudes and to behaviour. European Renal Best Practice (ERBP) produces guidelines for care of kidney patients in Europe and neighbouring regions. To facilitate implementation of its guidelines, ERBP aims to optimize 'guideline implementability', which regards the intrinsic characteristics of guidelines (i.e. format and content). The last section of this paper describes some of the associated ERBP activities, which are planned or pending.

Louisiana implementation of the National Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (NFIMR) program model: successes and opportunities.

Common features of successful, local-level, Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Programs are identified by the National Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (NFIMR) Program, including medical records abstraction and home interviews, case reviews by a case review team (CRT), and community systems action recommendations implemented by a community action team (CAT). This paper presents Louisiana's FIMR program, an adaptation of NFIMR recommendations. In 2001, the Louisiana Maternal and Child Health Program began a statewide FIMR Network (LaFIMR) based on the NFIMR model. Geographic areas of focus, case identification, staffing, data collection methods, and CRT and CAT membership and activities include modifications of the NFIMR recommendations unique to LaFIMR implementation. Adaptations made to the NFIMR model were advantageous to LaFIMR's success. Specifically, LaFIMR geographic areas of interest cover multiple natural communities. Compared with independent FIMR programs elsewhere, LaFIMR represents a Title V Program-based coordinated network of regional LaFIMR teams offering opportunities for expanded partnerships. Primary sources for LaFIMR case identification include obituaries and hospital logs, with secondary identification available through vital records. Improvements in vital records data systems are expected to enhance future LaFIMR case identification. LaFIMR-identified records that are linked with vital event certificates provide enhanced contextual findings for reviews and support continuous quality improvement processes. These differences in the LaFIMR implementation reinforce the NFIMR-supported uniqueness of FIMR programs across the United States, and may encourage other FIMR programs to consider how adaptations to NFIMR recommendations could benefit their programs.

Governability framework for the evaluation and implementation of complex public health functions.

BACKGROUND: The dominant theoretical basis of our public health practice originates from a positivist or reductionist paradigm. It fails to take into account the complexity emerging out of public health's multiple influences originating from biological and social worlds. A deeper understanding of the interaction of elements that characterize the implementation of public health functions will enhance our ability to generate evidence and learn further. OBJECTIVE: The "interactive governance theory" by Jan Kooiman introduced here offers an analytical framework that uses the concept of "governability." It is a measure of how governable a particular social system is that takes care of a public function. Assessment is facilitated by breaking down and describing the social system into constituent parts and by exploring the properties, qualities, and the way in which they interact with each other. Further, by deliberating a complex public health function such as immunization services in the context of developing countries, we explore the application of the interactive governance theory and governability. CONCLUSION: The theory offers new insights into how interactive and holistic approaches can be integrated into public health practice. The advantage of the concept of "governability" is that it enables us to explore why some governance systems deliver what they are expected to, while others do not. This might help us to identify areas where governance can be improved.

[Quality management in implementing specialist pediatric palliative home care in Lower Saxony, Germany]. / Qualitätsmanagement bei der Einführung der Spezialisierten Ambulanten Pädiatrischen Palliativversorgung in Niedersachsen.

BACKGROUND: To provide comprehensive high-quality health care is a great challenge in the context of high specialisation and intensive costs. This problem becomes further aggravated in service areas with low patient numbers and low numbers of specialists. Therefore, a multidimensional approach to quality development was chosen in order to optimise the care of children and adolescents with life-limiting conditions in Lower Saxony, a German federal state with a predominantly rural infrastructure. METHODS: Different service structures were implemented and a classification of service provider's specialisation was defined on the basis of existing references of professional associations. Measures to optimise care were implemented in a process-oriented manner. RESULTS: High-quality health care can be facilitated by carefully worded requirements concerning the quality of structures combined with optimally designed processes. Parts of the newly implemented paediatric palliative care structures are funded by the statutory health insurance.

Exploring implementation and sustainability of models of care: can theory help?

OBJECTIVE: Research on new models of care in health service provision is complex, as is the introduction and embedding of such models, and positive research findings are only one factor in whether a new model of care will be implemented. In order to understand why this is the case, research design must not only take account of proposed changes in the clinical encounter, but the organisational context that must sustain and normalise any changed practices. We use two case studies where new models of maternity care were implemented and evaluated via randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to discuss how (or whether) the use of theory might inform implementation and sustainability strategies. The Normalisation Process Model is proposed as a suitable theoretical framework, and a comparison made using the two case studies - one where a theoretical framework was used, the other where it was not. CONTEXT AND APPROACH: In the maternity sector there is considerable debate about which model of care provides the best outcomes for women, while being sustainable in the organisational setting. We explore why a model of maternity care--team midwifery (where women have a small group of midwives providing their care)-- that was implemented and tested in an RCT was not continued after the RCT's conclusion, despite showing the same or better outcomes for women in the intervention group compared with women allocated to usual care. We then discuss the conceptualisation and rationale leading to the use of the 'Normalisation Process Model' as an aid to exploring aspects of implementation of a caseload midwifery model (where women are allocated a primary midwife for their care) that has recently been evaluated by RCT. DISCUSSION: We demonstrate how the Normalisation Process Model was applied in planning of the evaluation phases of the RCT as a means of exploring the implementation of the caseload model of care. We argue that a theoretical understanding of issues related to implementation and sustainability can make a valuable contribution when researching complex interventions in complex settings such as hospitals. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Application of a theoretical model in the research of a complex intervention enables a greater understanding of the organisational context into which new models of care are introduced and identification of factors that promote or challenge implementation of these models of care.

[Certification of myasthenia centres: developing and implementing a certification procedure for patient organisations]. / Zertifizierung von Myasthenie-Zentren - Entwicklung und Umsetzung eines Zertifizierungsverfahrens für Patientenorganisationen.

BACKGROUND: Certifications for quality management systems or disease-specific certifications have become increasingly popular in the German healthcare system. For chronic or rare diseases, however, patient safety and a patient-centred healthcare management have high priority. These aspects are often not adequately accounted for by the usual certification models. METHODS: The BQS Institute for Quality and Patient Safety has developed a certification for the Deutsche Myasthenie Gesellschaft (DMG), a patients' self-help organisation. Standards for the certification were drafted by medical experts on the basis of guidelines and the scientific literature and were implemented into applicable criteria by the BQS Institute. Special emphasis was placed on translating patients' needs into the criteria catalogue. RESULTS: The certificate "Integrierte Myasthenie-Zentren der DMG" [Integrated Myasthenia Centres of the DMG] is based on an all-day audit and includes a peer review. The active involvement of patients in the audit teams and in the certification board ensures that patient-relevant aspects are consistently taken into consideration besides medical criteria and quality management requirements. Notwithstanding the high medical quality in the two hospitals participating in the pilot phase, additional potential for improvement could be identified during the audits. DISCUSSION: Certifications issued under the responsibility of patient organisations meet the need for specific quality improvement instruments for chronic and rare diseases. Acceptance of those certifications is enhanced by peer reviewing during the audits. From the patients' viewpoint all important aspects were incorporated into the certification concept.