Dissemination and implementation of an educational tool for veterans on complementary and alternative medicine: a case study

Abstract

BackgroundWe developed and disseminated an educational DVD to introduce U.S. Veterans to independently-practiced complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques and encourage CAM experimentation. The project’s goal was to determine optimal dissemination methods to facilitate implementation within the Veteran’s Health Administration.MethodsIn the first phase, the DVD was disseminated using four methods: passive, provider-mediated, active, and peer-mediated. In the second, implementation phase, “champion” providers who supported CAM integrated dissemination into clinical practice. Qualitative data came from Veteran focus groups and semi-structured provider interviews. Data from both phases was triangulated to identify common themes.ResultsEffective dissemination requires engaging patients. Providers who most successfully integrated the DVD into practice already had CAM knowledge, and worked in settings where CAM was accepted clinical practice, or with leadership or infrastructure that supported a culture of CAM use. Institutional buy-in allowed for provider networking and effective implementation of the tool. Providers were given autonomy to determine the most appropriate dissemination strategies, which increased enthusiasm and use.ConclusionsMany of the lessons learned from this project can be applied to dissemination of any new educational tool within a healthcare setting. Results reiterate the importance of utilizing best practices for introducing educational tools within the healthcare context and the need for thoughtful, multi-faceted dissemination strategies.

A Dissemination Strategy to Promote Relational Coordination in the Veterans Health Administration: A Case Study

“…2 Large healthcare organizations, such as the Veterans Health Administration (VA), use person to person diffusion of information with some bene t. An alternative to diffusion is dissemination, de ned as planned efforts to spread practices through targeted, direct delivery of information to a particular audience, such as healthcare providers or patients. 1 While no single diffusion or dissemination strategy is effective for every situation, diffusion has been shown to be less effective than dissemination when the aim is to consistently and rapidly spread best practices to improve patient care. 1 Dissemination strategies selected and crafted to reach a speci c audience can positively impact the adoption of best practices.…”

“…1 While no single diffusion or dissemination strategy is effective for every situation, diffusion has been shown to be less effective than dissemination when the aim is to consistently and rapidly spread best practices to improve patient care. 1 Dissemination strategies selected and crafted to reach a speci c audience can positively impact the adoption of best practices. 3,4 Marketing theory offers a valuable framework to select dissemination strategies for large healthcare organizations.…”

A Dissemination Strategy to Promote Relational Coordination in the Veterans Health Administration: A Case Study

“…However, only a fraction of these practices and tools are implemented in clinical settings. 1 While multiple factors contribute to the research to practice gap, slow or improper diffusion of information is a known barrier to rapid adoption of evidence-based practices. 1 Diffusion is the passive and natural spread of information to a broad audience, such as through word of mouth.…”

“…1 While multiple factors contribute to the research to practice gap, slow or improper diffusion of information is a known barrier to rapid adoption of evidence-based practices. 1 Diffusion is the passive and natural spread of information to a broad audience, such as through word of mouth. 2 Large healthcare organizations, such as the Veterans Health Administration (VA), use person to person diffusion of information with some bene t. An alternative to diffusion is dissemination, de ned as planned efforts to spread practices through targeted, direct delivery of information to a particular audience, such as healthcare providers or patients.…”

“…1 While no single diffusion or dissemination strategy is effective for every situation, diffusion has been shown to be less effective than dissemination when the aim is to consistently and rapidly spread best practices to improve patient care. 1 Dissemination strategies selected and crafted to reach a speci c audience can positively impact the adoption of best practices. 3,4 Marketing theory offers a valuable framework to select dissemination strategies for large healthcare organizations.…”