A Framework for Disseminating Evidence-Based Health Promotion Practices

Abstract

Wider adoption of evidence-based, health promotion practices depends on developing and testing effective dissemination approaches. To assist in developing these approaches, we created a practical framework drawn from the literature on dissemination and our experiences disseminating evidence-based practices. The main elements of our framework are 1) a close partnership between researchers and a disseminating organization that takes ownership of the dissemination process and 2) use of social marketing principles to work closely with potential user organizations. We present 2 examples illustrating the framework: EnhanceFitness, for physical activity among older adults, and American Cancer Society Workplace Solutions, for chronic disease prevention among workers. We also discuss 7 practical roles that researchers play in dissemination and related research: sorting through the evidence, conducting formative research, assessing readiness of user organizations, balancing fidelity and reinvention, monitoring and evaluating, influencing the outer context, and testing dissemination approaches.

Health Promotion in Smaller Workplaces in the United States

“…Although these advantages can help smaller workplaces implement health-promotion programs, they are often countered by the challenges described below. We draw from dissemination and implementation science frameworks to explore why smaller workplaces generally offer less health promotion than do larger workplaces (28,33,78). To capture the challenges smaller workplaces face, we use three framework elements: context, readiness, and capacity.…”

Returning Nursing to Nightingale: The Bigger Picture of Mainstreaming Kenya-Nursing Process

“…Cooperation and support from policy makers and management is attainable when it is demonstrated that NP addresses local healthcare and nursing predicaments for public good (Box 5a). Yura and Walsh [37] recommended the need to work with authorities; Haris et al [74] emphasized it; and both Ryan [12] practically demonstrates it.…”

“…Second, nurse educators working with nurses at policy level agreed to include Nursing Process as a major determinant in nursing promotions. Third, the use of Harris et al's [74] knowledge dissemination framework ensures that knowledge creators (nurse educators/researchers) and users (nurse policy makers and clinical practitioners) work together as change agents to ensure implementation.…”

Strategies of active dissemination of workplace health promotion

“…Instead of researchers designing and implementing the dissemination activities, as is commonly the case (Bull et al, 2003), it was conducted in an applied setting in "a close partnership between researchers and a disseminating organization that takes ownership of the dissemination process" (Harris et al, 2012). It therefore examines dissemination strategies under real-life consulting conditions.…”