Using implementation mapping to develop strategies for preventing non-communicable diseases in Japanese small- and medium-sized enterprises

Abstract

IntroductionWorkplace programs to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the workplace can help prevent the incidence of chronic diseases among employees, provide health benefits, and reduce the risk of financial loss. Nevertheless, these programs are not fully implemented, particularly in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this study was to develop implementation strategies for health promotion activities to prevent NCDs in Japanese SMEs using Implementation Mapping (IM) to present the process in a systematic, transparent, and replicable manner.MethodsQualitative methods using interviews and focus group discussions with 15 SMEs and 20 public health nurses were conducted in a previous study. This study applied the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and IM to analyze this dataset to develop implementation strategies suitable for SMEs in Japan.ResultsIn task 2 of the IM, we identified performance objectives, determinants, and change objectives for each implementation stage: adoption, implementation, and maintenance; to identify the required actors and actions necessary to enhance implementation effectiveness. Twenty-two performance objectives were identified in each implementation stage. In task 3 of the IM, the planning group matched behavioral change methods (e.g., modeling and setting of graded tasks, framing, self-re-evaluation, and environmental re-evaluation) with determinants to address the performance objectives. We used a consolidated framework for implementation research to select the optimal behavioral change technique for performance objectives and determinants and designed a practical application. The planning team agreed on the inclusion of sixteen strategies from the final strategies list compiled and presented to it for consensus, for the overall implementation plan design.DiscussionThis paper provides the implementation strategies for NCDs prevention for SMEs in Japan following an IM protocol. Although the identified implementation strategies might not be generalizable to all SMEs planning implementation of health promotion activities, because they were tailored to contextual factors identified in a formative research. However, identified performance objectives and implementation strategies can help direct the next steps in launching preventive programs against NCDs in SMEs.

Interactive assistance via eHealth for small- and medium-sized enterprises’ employer and health care manager teams on tobacco control (eSMART-TC): protocol for a cluster randomized hybrid type II trial (N-EQUITY2101/J-SUPPORT2102)

“…To the best of our knowledge, the eSMART-TC will be the first cluster randomized control study to apply a hybrid type II design to evaluate the bundle of three implementation strategies (supporting employees through campaigns, tailored ongoing facilitation, and ensuring executive engagement and support) targeting employers and health managers. This study will build upon our previous work, which demonstrated that strong endorsement, support, and positive feedback from employers are important to promote the implementation of workplace health promotion [ 13 ], and identified strategies for SMEs in Japan following an implementation mapping protocol [ 26 ]. This study will allow us to determine whether interactive intervention for management can increase the implementation of tobacco control measures in SMEs where resources are generally limited and increase the uptake of evidence-based cessation methods (smoking cessation treatments, nicotine replacement therapy, and nicotine gum) among smoking employees.…”

“…A key strength of our study is that the content of the implementation intervention was developed based on a theoretical framework and formative research. The implementation strategies were developed by applying social cognitive theory, targeting barriers and facilitators identified by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research [ 13 , 26 ]. If the effectiveness of this intervention is confirmed, the approach of this intervention targeting management can be applied to other areas of the workplace, such as measures against hypertension and improving health check-up rates.…”

“…As shown in Table 1 , the intervention will consist of a bundle of three implementation strategies (supporting employees through campaigns, tailored ongoing facilitation, and ensuring executive engagement and support), developed based on our prior work, which demonstrated that strong endorsement, support, and positive feedback from employers are important to promote the implementation of workplace health promotion [ 13 ]. It also identifies strategies for the prevention of non-communicable diseases for SMEs in Japan following an implementation mapping protocol [ 26 ]. These three implementation strategies will be provided through five steps in web-based sessions, with four sessions for employers and ten sessions for health managers (maximum of 16) (Fig.…”

Development of an implementation plan for a school-based multimodal approach for depression and suicide prevention in adolescents

“…The tasks of implementation mapping (IM) described by Fernandez et al (32) offer a systematic approach to developing an implementation plan by combining theory and co-creation with stakeholders in practice. IM has previously helped to identify implementation strategies for various preventive interventions and programmes (40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46). The five tasks of IM are the following: (1) conduct an implementation needs assessment to identify barriers and facilitators for implementation, (2) identify adoption and implementation outcomes, performance objectives, and change objectives, (3) select theoretical methods and design implementation strategies, (4) produce implementation protocols and materials, and (5) evaluate implementation outcomes (32).…”