Understanding How Newly Implemented Rehabilitation Best Practices Are Sustained: A Realist Review

Sustainable implementation efforts in physio- and occupational therapy: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Health care professionals often fail to adhere to evidence-based guidelines. The implementation of evidence-based methods in health care requires systematic support, but it is still unclear which strategies support professional adherence to clinical practice guidelines. Behavior change techniques can contribute to a more detailed description of implementation strategies. The aim of this scoping review was to explore the nature of studies investigating the sustainability of physiotherapists' (PTs') and occupational therapists' (OTs') clinical behavior when implementing evidence-based methods in health care. Two research questions were addressed: (1) Which implementation strategies are used in studies that have experienced sustained and unsustained changes in the clinical behavior of PTs and OTs? (2) Which behavior change techniques are used in studies involving sustained and unsustained changes in the clinical behavior of PTs and OTs?

METHODS

The scoping review was carried out in accordance with recommendations and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Six databases were searched. Studies evaluating changes in the clinical behavior of PTs or OTs before and at least 6 months after the end of an implementation intervention were included.

RESULTS

A total of 5130 studies were screened, and 29 studies were included. Twenty-one studies reported sustained results, and 8 studies reported unsustained results. The studies reporting sustained clinical behavior used in median 7 implementation strategies, 45% used a 12-24-month implementation support period, and 86% of the interventions were theory-based. Twenty-two implementation strategies were identified among the included studies. Only two of these defined the implementation strategies in terms of behavior change techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies reporting sustained results were characterized by the use of longer implementation periods, more implementation strategies, more theory-based interventions, and more behavior change techniques. Audit and feedback, resources, problem solving, and communities of practice were implementation strategies, and problem solving, demonstration of behavior, and social support were behavior change techniques that were more common in studies with sustained results of PTs' and OTs' clinical behavior. Our study also highlights the importance of well-described implementation studies.

REGISTRATION

The protocol for the scoping review has been registered in the Open Science Framework, OSF registry ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/DUYQM ).

The regional development and implementation of home-based stroke rehabilitation using participatory action research

PURPOSE

This study aims to overcome the challenges experienced in the regional development and implementation of home-based stroke rehabilitation (HBSR) and to understand the change process needed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using participatory action research (PAR), participants and researchers collaboratively produced knowledge and took action to improve the offered HBSR. Different methods for data generation and analysis were used, depending on the aim of the PAR phase and the participants' stages of change. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to select implementation strategies and to evaluate the implementation process.

RESULTS

Developing and implementing HBSR resulted in multiple products that promoted the implementation of a regional stroke network and affiliated work arrangements. Work arrangements were embodied in a stroke care pathway, follow-up tool, and expertise requirements. Evaluating the PAR process identified participants being able to take the lead, being facilitated by others, and making progress visible, as implementation facilitators. Collaborating within a primary care project can be challenging but is considered essential and has a positive impact on multiple levels. Also, the implementation of HBSR calls for multiple implementation strategies reflecting multiple CFIR constructs.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the complexity and achievements of developing and implementing HBSR using PAR.

Sustainability of an outcome measure in outpatient stroke rehabilitation: A realist evaluation

RATIONALE

Only half of newly implemented evidence-based practices are sustained. Though poor sustainment can lead to negative consequences for clinical teams, organizations and patients, the causal explanations of sustainment are largely unknown.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

We aimed to ascertain how (mechanisms) and in what circumstances (context) a newly implemented outcome measure in rehabilitation was sustained or not (outcome).

METHODOLOGY

Informed by an integrated knowledge translation approach, we conducted a realist evaluation using a mixed method, embedded single case study design with data collection up to 18 months following the implementation of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory - version 4 (MPAI-4), a rehabilitation outcome measure. Quantitative data (survey and patient charts) was analysed using descriptive statistics, then integrated with qualitative data (interviews with 10 key informants) and analysed using inductive and deductive retroduction. We integrated the data to develop a case description and ultimately, to refine the programme theory to better understand the sustainability of the MPAI-4.

RESULTS

We linked context, mechanisms and outcomes, and also emphasized sustainability strategies in 18 explanations of how sustainability works. These explanations provide evidence for four overarching patterns: (1) implementation and sustainability phases are interconnected, (2) outcomes build on each other recursively, with patient benefits as the keystone outcome, (3) sustainment is achieved to varying levels across different sustainability outcomes [e.g., high level (e.g., rate of MPAI-4 scoring: 77.7%) to low level (e.g., rate of MPAI-4 application to clinical decision-making: 3.7%)] and (4) the work of sustaining the MPAI-4 is shared amongst different stakeholders.

CONCLUSION

Implementation teams can draw from this programme theory to improve the sustainment of outcomes measures while researchers could continue to refine the theory. Continued investigation of sustainability, including diverse and continuous sustainability outcomes, is needed to understand how to maintain improvements in quality of care and patient outcomes.

Fostering the discussion of planetary health in occupational therapy and physiotherapy

INTRODUCTION

Occupational therapists and physiotherapists aim to promote health, prevent various diseases and help people in their rehabilitation processes. So far, there is a paucity of understanding of the big picture of how the new paradigm of planetary health (PH) is connected to the education and practice of these professionals.

METHODS

This research aimed to address this gap by investigating and deploying a bibliometric analysis to elucidate the pivotal role of occupational therapists and physiotherapists in addressing PH challenges. The ultimate goal is to construct a comprehensive framework crosschecking the bibliometric analysis and the collection of 10 case studies selected by experts to outline how best practices in occupational therapy and physiotherapy, related to the three pillars of sustainability and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), can contribute to increasing PH.

RESULTS

The bibliometric analysis revealed four major research strands: 1) enhancing patient care and quality of life; 2) integrating sustainability in health care and rehabilitation; 3) professional development and clinical competence; and 4) evidence-based practice and quality improvement. Moreover, further temporal analysis revealed how the topic evolved, from advancing evidence-based practice and clinical effectiveness, exploring the strengthening of health care and person-centred practices, to connecting the topic to aspects also predicted by the SDGs, such as integrating environmental and climate concerns in therapy and addressing psychological and self-care impacts on health. The case studies confirmed this trend, and a framework of PH in occupational therapy and physiotherapy through the lens of the SDGs was developed to support future research and practitioners in advancing this research field.

CONCLUSIONS

Occupational therapists and physiotherapists are essential players in public health and can integrate sustainability at every level of practice, from using resources during therapy sessions to advocating for more sustainable lifestyles.

Collaborative sustainability planning for an outcome measure in outpatient stroke rehabilitation: A qualitative description study

RATIONALE

Evidence suggests that sustainability planning and the use of a collaborative approach to planning result in better sustainability outcomes and more relevant knowledge. Yet, both approaches appear to be underutilized. A detailed description of collaborative sustainability planning may encourage the use of these two impactful strategies.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To explore the collaborative sustainability planning process for a single outcome measure in three rehabilitation sites.

METHODOLOGY

Within the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-version 4 (MPAI-4) implementation project, we conducted a qualitative description study. We used data from 12 core sustainability planning meetings and 108 follow-up meetings that included a total of 31 clinical and research team participants. Sustainability planning was informed by an MPAI-4-specific implementation guide, and by the results from a realist review of the sustainability of rehabilitation practices and the Clinical Sustainability Assessment Tool. We analyzed qualitative data using thematic content analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes describe the collaborative sustainability planning process: (1) "collaboration as a driver for sustainability" which captures the active collaboration underpinning sustainability planning; (2) "co-creation of a sustainability plan to achieve shared objectives" which captures the identified barriers and facilitators, and selected sustainability strategies linked to one of six collaboratively identified shared objectives; and (3) "the iterative nature of sustainability planning" which captures the necessity of an agile and responsive sustainability planning process.

CONCLUSION

Identified strategies may be useful to support (collaborative) sustainment. Future research could investigate the effect of collaborative sustainability planning on sustainability objectives, and the relationship between these objectives.