ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND
Implementing new programs and practices is challenging, even when they are mandated. Implementation Facilitation (IF) strategies that focus on partnering with sites show promise for addressing these challenges.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of an external/internal IF strategy within the context of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mandate of Primary Care–Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI).
DESIGN
This was a quasi-experimental, Hybrid Type III study. Generalized estimating equations assessed differences across sites.
PARTICIPANTS
Patients and providers at seven VA primary care clinics receiving the IF intervention and national support and seven matched comparison clinics receiving national support only participated in the study.
INTERVENTION
We used a highly partnered IF strategy incorporating evidence-based implementation interventions.
MAIN MEASURES
We evaluated the IF strategy using VA administrative data and RE-AIM framework measures for two 6-month periods.
KEY RESULTS
Evaluation of RE-AIM measures from the first 6-month period indicated that PC patients at IF clinics had nine times the odds (OR=8.93, p<0.001) of also being seen in PC-MHI (Reach) compared to patients at non-IF clinics. PC providers at IF clinics had seven times the odds (OR=7.12, p=0.029) of referring patients to PC-MHI (Adoption) than providers at non-IF clinics, and a greater proportion of providers’ patients at IF clinics were referred to PC-MHI (Adoption) compared to non-IF clinics (β=0.027, p<0.001). Compared to PC patients at non-IF sites, patients at IF clinics did not have lower odds (OR=1.34, p=0.232) of being referred for first-time mental health specialty clinic visits (Effectiveness), or higher odds (OR=1.90, p=0.350) of receiving same-day access (Implementation). Assessment of program sustainability (Maintenance) was conducted by repeating this analysis for a second 6-month time period. Maintenance analyses results were similar to the earlier period.
CONCLUSION
The addition of a highly partnered IF strategy to national level support resulted in greater Reach and Adoption of the mandated PC-MHI initiative, thereby increasing patient access to VA mental health care.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Carrie Edlund, MS for assistance with editing and manuscript preparation.
This material is based on work supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Service and the VA Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) (grant SDP 08–316).
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that they do not have a conflict of interest.
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Kirchner, J.E., Ritchie, M.J., Pitcock, J.A. et al. Outcomes of a Partnered Facilitation Strategy to Implement Primary Care–Mental Health. J GEN INTERN MED 29 (Suppl 4), 904–912 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-014-3027-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-014-3027-2