Multilevel Interventions to Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening in an Urban Native American Community: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Native Americans have the highest burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) and the lowest rates of CRC screening across the United States.1 The disparities in CRC screening were made worse during the pandemic, creating an unmet need to implement evidence-based, multilevel interventions to improve CRC screening uptake. This can be achieved through an organized outreach program with identification of screen-eligible individuals using health records from the clinic; and a screening program with the following: (1) a mailed invitation, (2) a package of materials so patients can complete a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit from their homes, (3) reminder calls and a letter, and (4) navigation to a diagnostic colonoscopy.2-5 We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of a program of outreach vs usual care for completion of CRC screening at an urban clinic serving the Native American community. Applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR),6 we also conducted patient and provider interviews to understand barriers and facilitators to the organized program and CRC screening in general.

Alcohol use disorder pharmacotherapy and treatment in primary care (ADaPT-PC) trial: Impact on identified barriers to implementation.

Background: A minority of individuals meeting diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorders (AUD) receive any type of formal treatment. Developing options for AUD treatment within primary care settings is imperative to increase treatment access. A multi-faceted implementation intervention including provider and patient education, clinician reminders, development of local champions and ongoing facilitation was designed to enhance access to AUD pharmacotherapy in primary care settings at three large Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. This qualitative study compared pre-implementation barriers to post-implementation barriers identified via provider interviews to identify those barriers addressed and not addressed by the intervention to better understand the limited impact of the intervention. Methods: Following the nine-month implementation period, primary care providers at the three participating facilities took part in qualitative interviews to collect perceptions regarding which pre-implementation barriers had and had not been successfully addressed by the intervention. Participants included 20 primary care providers from three large VHA facilities. Interviews were coded using common coding techniques for qualitative data using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) codebook. Summary reports were created for each CFIR construct for each facility and the impact of each CFIR construct on implementation was coded as positive, neutral, or negative. Results: Some barriers identified during pre-implementation interviews were no longer identified as barriers in the post-implementation interviews. These included Relative Advantage, Relative Priority, and Knowledge & Beliefs about the Innovation. However, Compatibility, Design Quality & Packaging, and Available Resources remained barriers at the end of the implementation period. No substantial new barriers were identified. Conclusions: The implementation intervention appears to have been successful at addressing barriers that could be mitigated with traditional educational approaches. However, the intervention did not adequately address structural and organizational barriers to implementation. Recommendations for enhancing future interventions are provided.

"Sign Me Up, I'm Ready!": Helping Patients Prescribed Sleeping Medication Engage with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) provides safe and effective insomnia care without the risk of harm associated with sleeping medications. Unfortunately, few patients with insomnia engage with CBT-I, with most using sedative hypnotics instead. This study conducted focus groups with patients with insomnia who were treated with sleeping medication, including older adults, women, and patients with chronic pain. The goal was to explore the perspectives of high-risk, CBT-I naïve patients on increasing access and engagement with CBT-I. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 29 Veterans with insomnia who had been prescribed sleeping medication in the last year and had not previously engaged with CBT-I. METHODS: Semi-structured 90-min focus groups were used to 1) explore messages and appropriate channels for a CBT-I social marketing campaign, 2) determine patient preferences for self-management CBT-I tools, and 3) determine patient opinions on alternative provider-delivered forms of CBT-I. Thematic analysis was used to identify conceptual themes. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified. First, patient education is necessary but not sufficient. Patients recommended multiple outreach attempts through multiple channels to motivate tired and overwhelmed insomnia patients to engage with CBT-I. Second, patients gravitated toward a stepped-care approach. Most would start with self-management CBT-I tools, moving on to provider-delivered CBT-I if needed. Finally, patients appreciated being able to choose from a menu of CBT-I delivery options and would use multiple options simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest promising opportunities to increase the use of CBT-I for high-risk patients through patient education and provision of self-management CBT-I tools.

Exploring the Meaning of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia for Patients with Chronic Pain.

OBJECTIVE: Insomnia is one of the most common, persistent, and distressing symptoms associated with chronic pain. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the firstline treatment for insomnia, but patient preferences and perspectives about CBT-I within the context of chronic pain are unknown. The current qualitative study sought to understand the experience of CBT-I among patients with chronic pain, including aspects of CBT-I that were found to be difficult (e.g., pain as a specific barrier to adherence/dropout), changes in sleep and pain functioning after CBT-I, and aspects of CBT-I that were appreciated. DESIGN: Qualitative semistructured interviews. METHODS: We conducted individual semistructured interviews with 17 veterans with chronic pain and insomnia who had recently participated in CBT-I, as well as their CBT-I therapists, and used thematic analysis to identify conceptual themes. RESULTS: Results revealed that patients and CBT-I therapists found changing sleep habits during CBT-I challenging due to anxiety and temporary increases in fatigue, but did not identify major pain-related barriers to adhering to CBT-I recommendations; patients experienced better sleep, mood, energy, and socialization after CBT-I despite minimal changes in pain intensity; and patients highly valued CBT-I as a personalized treatment for sleep and strongly recommended it for other patients with chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of improved sleep and functional outcomes support efforts to incorporate CBT-I into chronic pain treatment, including educating patients and providers about the strong feasibility of improving sleep and quality of life despite ongoing pain.

"You're Missing Out on Something Great": Patient and Provider Perspectives on Increasing the Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia.

Objective/Background: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the most effective treatment for insomnia but is severely underutilized. One of the key reasons for underuse is lack of knowledge among patients and primary care providers, but effective methods and materials for increasing knowledge are unknown. This study conducted in-depth interviews with CBT-I patients and their CBT-I providers to explore their perceptions on increasing utilization of CBT-I. Participants: Participants included patients who had engaged in CBT-I (N = 17) and CBT-I providers (N = 7). Methods: Semistructured interviews were used to explore the CBT-I referral process, recommendations for increasing uptake of CBT-I, and opinions on CBT-I self-management, with thematic analysis used to identify conceptual themes. Findings were compared and contrasted across patients who completed versus prematurely discontinued therapy and patients versus CBT-I providers. Results: Three main themes of referral, selling, and delivery were identified. Regarding referral, patients had not heard of nor requested CBT-I. Proactive outreach is crucial in populations in which insomnia is so common that it becomes normalized. For selling, patients and CBT-I providers had powerful testimonials that could be used to "sell" treatment using a peer-to-peer approach. Finally, for delivery, patients and CBT-I providers were ambivalent about alternative delivery formats and emphasized the need for personal contact. Although technology may be useful in advertising and delivering CBT-I, it will be important to ensure that these approaches promote rather than discourage engagement in CBT-I. Conclusions: These findings suggest promising opportunities to increase the use of CBT-I, including direct-to-consumer marketing.

Emergency Department Utilization for Substance Use-Related Disorders and Assessment of Treatment Facilities in New York State, 2011-2013.

BACKGROUND: Annually, 1.8 million New York (NY) residents experience substance use disorders (SUDs). Even though emergency departments (EDs) continue to experience high numbers of SUD-related visits, only 15% receive treatment. OBJECTIVES: This study estimates hospital-based EDs rates for SUDs in the State of New York. Also, the geographic distribution of substance use treatment centers and EDs are mapped to correlate utilization with access to care. METHODS: The 2011-2013 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's NY State Emergency Department Database provided information on utilization of services in EDs, charges, diagnoses, and discharge, as well as patient demographic variables. All patients within NY who had visited the ED for SUDs comprised the study population. Geographic mapping of EDs and substance abuse treatment centers at the county-level is based on data from the National Emergency Department Inventory and National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 492,419 ED visits for SUDs were reported through 2011-2013. Despite NY's Medicaid expansion in 2012, ED visits increased in 2013. About $856 million was spent in treating SUDs in EDs, with average charge of $1,764 per visit. Conclusions/Importance: Alcohol and drug-induced mental disorders are increasingly prevalent in New York's EDs. There is a need to develop health policies and programs to improve access to care for SUDs in urban states.

Patient perspectives on alcohol use disorder pharmacotherapy and integration of treatment into primary care settings.

Background: Evidence-based pharmacotherapies for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are underutilized. This mixed-methods study reports supplementary findings from the alcohol use disorder pharmacotherapy and treatment in primary care (ADaPT-PC) implementation study at 3 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital sites to understand why prescription rates did not increase following the ADaPT-PC intervention. Methods: Qualitative interviews (N = 30) were conducted in advance of the ADaPT-PC intervention to understand patients' pharmacotherapy attitudes among those in AUD treatment, with previous treatment experience, or who needed assistance with their alcohol use. Following the ADaPT-PC intervention, chart reviews from a random sample of patients with AUD or a most recent Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test consumption questions (AUDIT-C) score >8, and no active AUD prescription, were conducted to determine the frequency of alcohol-related conversations (N = 455). Results: Most interviewed patients welcomed a discussion about their alcohol use and pharmacotherapy. Of the 15 medication-naïve patients interviewed, 6 stated that they would be willing to try pharmacotherapy, 5 stated that they were unlikely, 2 identified reservations, 1 said no, and 1 was not asked. Fifteen patients were either currently taking medications (n = 10) or had taken medication in the past (n = 7; 2 patients had past and current experience). Chart reviews indicated that although 66% of charts (n = 299) documented a discussion of their alcohol use with the provider, only 7.5% (n = 22) of individuals with an AUD diagnosis had a documented discussion of AUD pharmacotherapy, and only 5 received pharmacotherapy. Conclusion: Most interviewed patients were open to discussing AUD treatment, including discussions of pharmacotherapy, with their provider. From documented conversations about alcohol use to treatment options, medical records suggests a continuous narrowing of the number of patients engaged in alcohol-related consultations. Although some interviewed patients expressed reticence about initiating pharmacotherapy, these findings suggest that the treatment cascade may have a greater influence on the number of pharmacotherapy prescriptions than patients' preferences.

Assessment of the multi-sectoral approach to tobacco control policies in South Africa and Togo.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is the world's leading preventable cause of illness and death and the most important risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases (heart attack, stroke, congestive obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer). Tobacco control is one of the World Health Organization's "best-buys" interventions to prevent NCDs. This study assessed the use of a multi-sectoral approach (MSA) in developing and implementing tobacco control policies in South Africa and Togo. METHODS: This two-country case study consisted of a document review of tobacco control policies and of key informant interviews (N = 56) about the content, context, stakeholders, and strategies employed throughout policy formulation and implementation in South Africa and Togo. To guide our analysis, we used the Comprehensive Framework for Multi-Sectoral Approach to Health Policy, which is built around four major constructs of context, content, stakeholders and strategies. RESULTS: The findings show that the formulation of tobacco control policies in both countries was driven locally by the political, historical, social and economic contexts, and globally by the adoption WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). In both countries, the health department led policy formulation and implementation. The stakeholders involved in South Africa were more diverse, proactive and dynamic than those in Togo, whereas the strategies employed were more straightforward in Togo than in South Africa. The extent of understanding and use of MSA in both countries consisted of an inter-sectoral action for health, whereby the health department strove to collaborate with other sectors within and outside the government. Consequently, information sharing was identified as the main outcome of the interactions between institutions and interest groups within and across three critical sectors of the state, namely the public (government), the private and the civil society. CONCLUSION: Tobacco control policies in South Africa and Togo were formulated and implemented from an inter-sectoral approach perspective, which relied heavily on information transfer between stakeholders and less on collaborative problem-solving approach. Incorporation of multiple stakeholders allowed both countries to formulate policies to meet FCTC goals for tobacco control and NCD reduction.

Non-communicable disease prevention policy process in five African countries.

BACKGROUND: The increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa is causing further burden to the health care systems that are least equipped to deal with the challenge. Countries are developing policies to address major NCD risk factors including tobacco use, unhealthy diets, harmful alcohol consumption and physical inactivity. This paper describes NCD prevention policy development process in five African countries (Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria, Malawi), including the extent to which WHO "best buy" interventions for NCD prevention have been implemented. METHODS: The study applied a multiple case study design, with each country as a separate case study. Data were collected through document reviews and key informant interviews with national-level decision-makers in various sectors. Data were coded and analyzed thematically, guided by Walt and Gilson policy analysis framework that examines the context, content, processes and actors in policy development. RESULTS: Country-level policy process has been relatively slow and uneven. Policy process for tobacco has moved faster, especially in South Africa but was delayed in others. Alcohol policy process has been slow in Nigeria and Malawi. Existing tobacco and alcohol policies address the WHO "best buy" interventions to some extent. Food-security and nutrition policies exist in almost all the countries, but the "best buy" interventions for unhealthy diet have not received adequate attention in all countries except South Africa. Physical activity policies are not well developed in any study countries. All have recently developed NCD strategic plans consistent with WHO global NCD Action Plan but these policies have not been adequately implemented due to inadequate political commitment, inadequate resources and technical capacity as well as industry influence. CONCLUSION: NCD prevention policy process in many African countries has been influenced both by global and local factors. Countries have the will to develop NCD prevention policies but they face implementation gaps and need enhanced country-level commitment to support policy NCD prevention policy development for all risk factors and establish mechanisms to attain better policy outcomes while considering other local contextual factors that may influence policy implementation such as political support, resource allocation and availability of local data for monitoring impacts.

Influence of the WHO framework convention on tobacco control on tobacco legislation and policies in sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, enforced in 2005, was a watershed international treaty that stipulated requirements for signatories to govern the production, sale, distribution, advertisement, and taxation of tobacco to reduce its impact on health. This paper describes the timelines, context, key actors, and strategies in the development and implementation of the treaty and describes how six sub-Saharan countries responded to its call for action on tobacco control. METHODS: A multi-country policy review using case study design was conducted in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa, and Togo. All documents related to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and individual country implementation of tobacco policies were reviewed, and key informant interviews related to the countries' development and implementation of tobacco policies were conducted. RESULTS: Multiple stakeholders, including academics and activists, led a concerted effort for more than 10 years to push the WHO treaty forward despite counter-marketing from the tobacco industry. Once the treaty was enacted, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa, and Togo responded in unique ways to implement tobacco policies, with differences associated with the country's socio-economic context, priorities of country leaders, industry presence, and choice of strategies. All the study countries except Malawi have acceded to and ratified the WHO tobacco treaty and implemented tobacco control policy. CONCLUSIONS: The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control provided an unprecedented opportunity for global action against the public health effects of tobacco including non-communicable diseases. Reviewing how six sub-Saharan countries responded to the treaty to mobilize resources and implement tobacco control policies has provided insight for how to utilise international regulations and commitments to accelerate policy impact on the prevention of non-communicable diseases.

Correction to: Non-communicable disease prevention policy process in five African countries.

After publication of the article [1], it was noticed that the title has erroneously included 'authors' in the end.

Purposeful Sampling for Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis in Mixed Method Implementation Research.

Purposeful sampling is widely used in qualitative research for the identification and selection of information-rich cases related to the phenomenon of interest. Although there are several different purposeful sampling strategies, criterion sampling appears to be used most commonly in implementation research. However, combining sampling strategies may be more appropriate to the aims of implementation research and more consistent with recent developments in quantitative methods. This paper reviews the principles and practice of purposeful sampling in implementation research, summarizes types and categories of purposeful sampling strategies and provides a set of recommendations for use of single strategy or multistage strategy designs, particularly for state implementation research.

Approaches to Mixed Methods Dissemination and Implementation Research: Methods, Strengths, Caveats, and Opportunities.

Limited translation of research into practice has prompted study of diffusion and implementation, and development of effective methods of encouraging adoption, dissemination and implementation. Mixed methods techniques offer approaches for assessing and addressing processes affecting implementation of evidence-based interventions. We describe common mixed methods approaches used in dissemination and implementation research, discuss strengths and limitations of mixed methods approaches to data collection, and suggest promising methods not yet widely used in implementation research. We review qualitative, quantitative, and hybrid approaches to mixed methods dissemination and implementation studies, and describe methods for integrating multiple methods to increase depth of understanding while improving reliability and validity of findings.

Measures for Predictors of Innovation Adoption.

Building on a narrative synthesis of adoption theories by Wisdom et al. (2013), this review identifies 118 measures associated with the 27 adoption predictors in the synthesis. The distribution of measures is uneven across the predictors and predictors vary in modifiability. Multiple dimensions and definitions of predictors further complicate measurement efforts. For state policymakers and researchers, more effective and integrated measurement can advance the adoption of complex innovations such as evidence-based practices.

Integrating Science and Engineering to Implement Evidence-Based Practices in Health Care Settings.

Integrating two distinct and complementary paradigms, science and engineering, may produce more effective outcomes for the implementation of evidence-based practices in health care settings. Science formalizes and tests innovations, whereas engineering customizes and optimizes how the innovation is applied tailoring to accommodate local conditions. Together they may accelerate the creation of an evidence-based healthcare system that works effectively in specific health care settings. We give examples of applying engineering methods for better quality, more efficient, and safer implementation of clinical practices, medical devices, and health services systems. A specific example was applying systems engineering design that orchestrated people, process, data, decision-making, and communication through a technology application to implement evidence-based depression care among low-income patients with diabetes. We recommend that leading journals recognize the fundamental role of engineering in implementation research, to improve understanding of design elements that create a better fit between program elements and local context.

Multiple Family Groups for Child Behavior Difficulties Retention Among Child Welfare-Involved Caregivers.

Among children who remain at home with their permanent caregivers following a child welfare investigation, few who manifest emotional and behavioral difficulties actually engage in mental health treatment. The Multiple Family Group service delivery model to reduce childhood disruptive behavior disorders (MFG) has shown promise in engaging child welfare-involved families. This qualitative study examines caregiver perceptions of factors that influence retention in MFGs among child welfare-involved families. METHODS: Twenty-five predominantly Black and Hispanic adult (ages 26-57) female caregivers with child welfare services involvement participated in individual, in-depth interviews about their experience with MFGs. Transcribed interview data were thematically coded guided by grounded theory methodology. Emergent themes were subsequently organized into a conceptual framework. RESULTS: Within the overarching influence of child welfare services involvement, specific components of MFGs influencing retention included the quality of interaction among group members, group facilitators' attentive approach with caregivers, supports designed to overcome logistical barriers (i.e., child care, transportation expenses, meals), and perceptions of MFG content and activities as fun and helpful. Caregiver factors, including their mental health and personal characteristics, as well as children's behavior, (i.e., observed changes in behavioral difficulties) were also associated with retention. CONCLUSIONS: High acceptability suggest utility for implementing MFGs within settings serving child welfare involved families, with additional modifications to tailor to setting and client features.

Innovation adoption: a review of theories and constructs.

Many theoretical frameworks seek to describe the dynamic process of the implementation of innovations. Little is known, however, about factors related to decisions to adopt innovations and how the likelihood of adoption of innovations can be increased. Using a narrative synthesis approach, this paper compared constructs theorized to be related to adoption of innovations proposed in existing theoretical frameworks in order to identify characteristics likely to increase adoption of innovations. The overall goal was to identify elements across adoption frameworks that are potentially modifiable and, thus, might be employed to improve the adoption of evidence-based practices. The review identified 20 theoretical frameworks that could be grouped into two broad categories: theories that mainly address the adoption process (N = 10) and theories that address adoption within the context of implementation, diffusion, dissemination, and/or sustainability (N = 10). Constructs of leadership, operational size and structure, innovation fit with norms and values, and attitudes/motivation toward innovations each are mentioned in at least half of the theories, though there were no consistent definitions of measures for these constructs. A lack of precise definitions and measurement of constructs suggests further work is needed to increase our understanding of adoption of innovations.

What family support specialists do: examining service delivery.

This study describes services provided by family support specialists (FSS), peer advocates in programs for children with serious psychiatric conditions, to delineate differences between recommended components of FSS services and services actually provided. An analysis of qualitative interview and observational data and quantitative survey data from 63 staff at 21 mental health programs in New York identified that FSS and other staff have generally similar ideas about FSS services, and that these perceptions of activities are generally congruent with what FSS actually did. Implications of findings are discussed in the context of developing competencies and quality indicators for FSS.

Policies for type 2 diabetes and non-communicable disease management during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya and Tanzania: a desk review and views of decision-makers.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in care that adversely affected the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally. Countries have responded in various ways to support people with NCDs during the pandemic. This study aimed to identify policy gaps, if any, in the management of NCDs, particularly diabetes, during COVID-19 in Kenya and Tanzania to inform recommendations for priority actions for NCD management during any future similar crises. METHODS: We undertook a desk review of pre-existing and newly developed national frameworks, policy models and guidelines for addressing NCDs including type 2 diabetes. This was followed by 13 key informant interviews with stakeholders involved in NCD decision-making: six in Kenya and seven in Tanzania. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the documents. RESULTS: Seventeen guidance documents were identified (Kenya=10; Tanzania=7). These included pre-existing and/or updated policies/strategic plans, guidelines, a letter, a policy brief and a report. Neither country had comprehensive policies/guidelines to ensure continuity of NCD care before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, efforts were made to update pre-existing documents and several more were developed during the pandemic to guide NCD care. Some measures were put in place during the COVID-19 period to ensure continuity of care for patients with NCDs such as longer supply of medicines. Inadequate attention was given to monitoring and evaluation and implementation issues. CONCLUSION: Kenya and Tanzania developed and updated some policies/guidelines to include continuity of care in emergencies. However, there were gaps in the documents and between policy/guideline documents and practice. Health systems need to establish disaster preparedness plans that integrate attention to NCD care to enable them to better handle severe disruptions caused by emergencies such as pandemics. Such guidance needs to include contingency planning to enable adequate resources for NCD care and must also address evaluation of implementation effectiveness.

Transitioning between systems of care: missed opportunities for engaging adults with serious mental illness and criminal justice involvement.

Individuals with serious mental illness are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and face difficulties accessing mental health services both during incarceration and upon re-entry into the community. This study examines how such individuals describe their experiences receiving care both during and after their time in custody and explores the perspectives of mental health service providers who treat this population upon re-entry. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 43 individuals identified as having a history of serious mental illness and criminal justice involvement, as well as with 25 providers who have worked with this population. Clients noted the stress of transitioning to criminal justice settings, the uneven availability of services within jail and prison, and the significant challenges faced upon re-entry. Providers reported barriers to working with this population, including minimal coordination with the criminal justice system and challenging behaviors and attitudes on the part of both clients and providers. Findings identify potential target areas for improved care coordination as well as for additional provider education regarding the unique needs of this population.