Translating Research into Practice. Prof Stephen Lord and Dr Ros Poulos

Translating Research into Practice Prof Stephen Lord and Dr Ros Poulos

Translating research into practice workshop NHMRC Capacity Building Grant (2005-2009) 2 national meetings (2006,2007) discussed ways to increase the capacity for evidenced informed policy and practice in falls management. 2 types of barriers were identified Health system barriers Evidence barriers 2 ways forward were identified Partnering researchers, policymakers and practitioners to identify a relevant research agenda Invesment in implementation research

Now NHMRC Partnership Grant A series of Policy Roundtables This presentation Policy roundtable on 25 th March, 2011 Morning session - Research issues session Afternoon session - Planning session on improving the translation of an EB intervention into practice Facilitated discussion

Policy Roundtable Report on the afternoon session Planning session with key stakeholders to identify strategies to improve the implementation of an evidence-based intervention.

Evidence-based intervention Vitamin D supplementation in residential aged care facilities How can we improve the uptake in the residential aged care sector?

Trial strategic planning activity to improve the implementation of our EB intervention Who is our target audience? Clinicians Care staff

Trial strategic planning activity to improve the implementation of our EB intervention Who are the influential stakeholders? audience? General practitioners Residential Aged Care Facilities o Care staff o Management staff Pharmacists

Strategic planning session Presentation of the evidence about Vitamin D supplementation Acceptance of premise Posed the question How can we improve the implementation of Vit D supplementation in RACFs? Provided a theoretical framework Let the groups work and report back

Making a difference in falls risk Theoretical Framework Awareness Knowing about Vit D supplementation. Adoption Developing a positive attitude to Vit D supplementation and deciding to use it. Implementation Using Vit D supplementation in the correct way (at the right dose, to the right patients). Maintenance Establishing Vit D supplementation as routine clinical practice.

Round table discussions Enablers?

Enablers for making a difference Clinicians and care staff Knowledge about the importance and benefits of supplementation and consequences of Vit D deficiency Believe that the benefits for residents outweigh the risks, inconvenience or cost Skills to prescribe and administer Vit D supplementation therapy A supportive environment that makes Vit D supplementation easy to obtain and administer in therapeutic doses

Round table discussions What actions are needed?

Awareness and Adoption Written communication Wide variety e.g. E-news, Australian Family Physician insert, peer-reviewed articles, interest stories Education Continuing professional development meetings Presentations at relevant annual conferences In-service training; on-line education RACGP Guidelines for Preventive Activities (RedBook)

Awareness and Adoption Reframe the case Chronic care and aged care Endorsement by professional bodies Develop a consistent, easy to follow message Could ANZFPS to work with other groups? e.g. RACGP, ANZSGM, DoHA, OA etc Could a coalition be developed (ANZFPS and others)

Awareness and Adoption RACFs to endorse Vit D supplementation Incorporate into procedures & internal standards Vit D supplementation prompts in risk assessment tools Develop educational resources for families and carers Identify clinical champions within the sector

Implementation Facilitate the prescription process Prescribing software Flag patient files Identification of appropriate local pharmacy (ordering and supply issues) Different formulations available Supportive care staff; educated families and residents

Implementation Free supply of Vit D (trial?) Providing data at facility level (uptake data, trend data)

Maintenance Facility level review and evaluation Industry external benchmarking Ongoing education Clinicians, care staff, families, residents Ensure ease of ongoing prescribing and supply Address cost issues

Outcome Benefits Considerable interest in the process Multiple perspectives were a benefit New knowledge and insights Do-able steps identified Comprehensive

Outcome Difficulties Keeping to task; Limited time Limited knowledge about other participants How will the plan be taken forward?

Discussion