Exploring perceptions of implementation practice capacity in community-based behavioral health organizations.

Community-based organizations (CBOs) must have the capacity to adopt, implement, and sustain evidence-based practices (EBPs). However, limited research exists examining CBOs' ability/capacity to implement EBPs. The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate how staff of CBOs perceive implementation practice capacity, determine factors needed for adequate capacity for implementing EBPs, and examine which perspectives of capacity are shared across organizational levels. Ninety-seven administrators and practitioners of CBOs were surveyed using the Implementation Capacity Survey, which examines perceived importance, presence, and organizational capacity of the CBO in nine implementation practice areas (IPAs) (e.g., leadership). Results revealed participants rated IPAs on the importance scale higher than IPAs on the present scale. Presence and organizational capacity scales were strongly correlated, and results showed significant differences between administrators and practitioners on ratings of presence and organizational capacity. Implications for future research aimed at examining/building implementation practice capacity in community settings will be discussed.

Efficacy of a Spanish-Language Self-Administered Stress Management Training intervention for Latinas undergoing chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients often report increased stress during chemotherapy. Stress management training has been shown to reduce this adverse outcome, but few interventions exist for Spanish-speaking Hispanic and Latina women (Latinas). METHODS: Following community feedback (including focus groups/in-depth interviews), we transcreated the Spanish-Language Self-Administered Stress Management Training (SL-SAT) intervention based on our previously developed and implemented English-based intervention. Latinas about to begin chemotherapy were randomized to SL-SAT (n = 121) or usual care (n = 119). A Spanish-speaking interventionist met with SL-SAT participants who received the SL-SAT toolkit containing instructions in 3 well-established stress management techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery, and use of coping self-statements). Usual care participants received an educational booklet about coping with chemotherapy. All patients were instructed by nurses on their chemotherapy medications and given a resource listing of local support groups. Outcomes were obtained at baseline, and 7 and 13 weeks after starting chemotherapy. Primary outcomes included anxiety and depression, cancer-related distress, emotional well-being, and spiritual well-being. Secondary outcomes included functional well-being, social/family well-being, physical well-being, symptom severity, and self-efficacy for managing stress. Data were analyzed by using mixed models. RESULTS: In both groups, improvements were observed in emotional well-being (P = .01), and declines were observed in functional well-being (P = .05), and physical well-being (P < .0001). Symptom severity increased across the follow-up period (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: To be effective, stress management interventions for Latinas receiving chemotherapy may necessitate more attention from an interventionist, delivery of the intervention over a longer interval, and/or a group-based format.