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Introduction: Effective engagement of underrepresented communities in health research and policy remains a challenge due to barriers that hinder participation. Our study had two objectives: (1) identify themes of person‐centred care (PCC) from perspectives of diverse patients/caregivers that would inform the development of person‐centred quality indicators (PC‐QIs) for evaluating the quality of PCC and initiatives to improve PCC and (2) explore innovative participatory approaches to engage ethnocultural communities in qualitative research. Methods: Drawing on participatory action research methods, we partnered with a community‐based organization to train six 'Community Brokers' from the Chinese, Filipino, South Asian, Latino‐Hispanic, East African and Syrian communities, who were engaged throughout the study. We also partnered with the provincial health organization to engage their Patient and Family Advisory, who represented further aspects of diversity. We conducted focus group discussions with patients/caregivers to obtain their perspectives on their values, preferences and needs regarding PCC. We identified themes through our study and engaged provincial stakeholders to prioritize these themes for informing the development of PC‐QIs and codesign initiatives for improving PCC. Results: Eight focus groups were conducted with 66 diverse participants. Ethnocultural communities highlighted themes related to access and cost of care, language barriers and culture, while the Patient and Family Advisory emphasized patient and caregiver engagement. Together with provincial stakeholders, initiatives were identified to improve PCC, such as codesigning innovative models of training and evaluation of healthcare providers. Conclusion: Incorporating patient and community voices requires addressing issues related to equity and understanding barriers to effective and meaningful engagement. Patient or Public Contribution: Patient and public engagement was central to our research study. This included partnership with a community‐based organization, with a broad network of ethnocultural communities, as well as the provincial health service delivery organization, who both facilitated the ongoing engagement of diverse patients/caregiver communities throughout our study including designing the study, recruiting participants, collecting and organizing data, interpreting findings and mobilizing knowledge. Drawing from participatory action research methods, patients and the public were involved in the codesign of the PC‐QIs and initiatives to improve PCC in the province based on the findings from our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of person‐centred quality improvement strategies on the management and control of adults with hypertension in primary care. Methods: A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted using the Medline, Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and APA PsycINFO databases (January 1980 to March 2020). Randomized controlled trials that evaluated person‐centred quality improvement strategies for the management and control of essential hypertension among adults (≥18 years) in primary care were included. Random effects models were used to estimate weighted mean differences (WMD) for the change in systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP, DBP) from baseline; risk ratios (RR) were calculated for the proportion of participants achieving target blood pressures, for each quality improvement strategy assessed. A qualitative review of the implementation details of the interventions was conducted to identify common components of interventions that were effective in improving blood pressure outcomes. Results: Eight studies were included (total of 5654 patients). Findings favour use of person‐centred quality improvement interventions over usual care (RR = 1.23 [95% CI: 1.01; 1.48]) for improving blood pressure outcomes. Self‐management (RR = 1.43 [95% CI: 1.23; 1.65]) had the greatest effects on blood pressure targets. Clinician education resulted in the greatest SBP reduction (WMD:6.09 mmHg [95% CI: 2.32; 9.85]), while patient education and patient reminder systems (both WMD:4.86 mmHg [95% CI: 0.88; 8.83]) saw the most improvements in DBP. While interventions varied in their strategy implementation, common features of effective interventions included tailored communication with patients, use of health information technology, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Conclusion: Person‐centred quality improvement strategies were effective in improving blood pressure outcomes. Further research is needed regarding the context of implementing interventions to provide greater insight into the components of a person‐centred quality improvement intervention most effective in improving hypertension outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community health workers (CHWs) effectively improve maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) outcomes in low-to-middle-income countries. However, CHW retention remains a challenge. This retrospective registry analysis evaluated medium-term retention of volunteer CHWs in two rural Ugandan districts, trained during a district-wide MNCH initiative. From 2012 to 2014, the Healthy Child Uganda partnership facilitated district-led CHW programme scale-up. CHW retention was tracked prospectively from the start of the intervention up to 2 years. Additional follow-up occurred at 5 years to confirm retention status. Database analysis assessed CHW demographic characteristics, retention rates and exit reasons 5 years post-intervention. A multivariable logistic regression model examined 5-year retention-associated characteristics. Of the original cohort of 2317 CHWs, 70% were female. The mean age was 38.8 years (standard deviation, SD: 10.0). Sixty months (5 years) after the start of the intervention, 84% of CHWs remained active. Of those exiting (n = 377), 63% reported a 'logistical' reason, such as relocation (n = 96), new job (n = 51) or death (n = 30). Sex [male, female; odds ratio (OR) = 1.53; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1 · 20-1 · 96] and age group (<25 years, 30-59; OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.25-0.62) were significantly associated with 5-year retention in multivariable modelling. Education completion (secondary school, primary) was not significantly associated with retention in adjusted analyses. CHWs in this relatively large cohort, trained and supervised within a national CHW programme and district-wide MNCH initiative, were retained over the medium term. Importantly, high 5-year retention in this intervention counters findings from other studies suggesting low retention in government-led and volunteer CHW programmes. Encouragingly, findings from our study suggest that retention was high, not significantly associated with timing of external partner support and largely not attributed to the CHW role i.e. workload and programme factors. Our study showcases the potential for sustainable volunteer CHW programming at scale and can inform planners and policymakers considering programme design, including selection and replacement planning for CHW networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Collecting and monitoring the information from patients through patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) about the quality of care they receive is important for tracking changes in healthcare quality, stimulate innovation, and enhance person-centred care. The objective of this theoretical paper is to discuss the use of implementation science theories, models, and frameworks to inform and evaluate the integration of the electronic collection of PREMs (ePREMs) in healthcare quality improvement for primary care in Canada. Methods: To assess potential knowledge-to-practice gaps in implementing ePREMs in primary care in Alberta, the overarching implementation model that will be used is the Knowledge to Action Cycle. An integrated knowledge translation approach will ensure ongoing engagement of key stakeholders (e.g. primary care providers, patients) throughout the study. ePREM implementation will be informed by the identification of barriers and facilitators to implementation using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The CFIR brings an organizational perspective providing an opportunity to explore the intervention characteristics, the context of implementation, individual factors, and the processes that influence implementation of ePREMs in healthcare. Identified barriers and facilitators to ePREM implementation will be mapped to evidence-based implementation strategies and prioritized by stakeholders. The RE-AIM framework will be used to guide the evaluation of ePREM implementation outcomes after six months of implementation by assessing Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (sustainability). Discussion: Consultations with stakeholders affirm the importance of using integrated knowledge translation approaches and the need to better understand how to integrate ePREMs in primary care. Using an implementations science approach, this study can provide guidance for mitigating important ePREM implementation challenges and promote the successful uptake and use of ePREMs for quality improvement in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patient-reported outcome and experience measures (PROMs/PREMs) are well established in research for many health conditions, but barriers persist for implementing them in routine care. Implementation science (IS) offers a potential way forward, but its application has been limited for PROMs/PREMs. Methods: We compare similarities and differences for widely used IS frameworks and their applicability for implementing PROMs/PREMs through case studies. Three case studies implemented PROMs: (1) pain clinics in Canada; (2) oncology clinics in Australia; and (3) pediatric/adult clinics for chronic conditions in the Netherlands. The fourth case study is planning PREMs implementation in Canadian primary care clinics. We compare case studies on barriers, enablers, implementation strategies, and evaluation. Results: Case studies used IS frameworks to systematize barriers, to develop implementation strategies for clinics, and to evaluate implementation effectiveness. Across case studies, consistent PROM/PREM implementation barriers were technology, uncertainty about how or why to use PROMs/PREMs, and competing demands from established clinical workflows. Enabling factors in clinics were context specific. Implementation support strategies changed during pre-implementation, implementation, and post-implementation stages. Evaluation approaches were inconsistent across case studies, and thus, we present example evaluation metrics specific to PROMs/PREMs. Conclusion: Multilevel IS frameworks are necessary for PROM/PREM implementation given the complexity. In cross-study comparisons, barriers to PROM/PREM implementation were consistent across patient populations and care settings, but enablers were context specific, suggesting the need for tailored implementation strategies based on clinic resources. Theoretically guided studies are needed to clarify how, why, and in what circumstances IS principles lead to successful PROM/PREM integration and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Globally, health‐care systems and organizations are looking to improve health system performance through the implementation of a person‐centred care (PCC) model. While numerous conceptual frameworks for PCC exist, a gap remains in practical guidance on PCC implementation. Methods: Based on a narrative review of the PCC literature, a generic conceptual framework was developed in collaboration with a patient partner, which synthesizes evidence, recommendations and best practice from existing frameworks and implementation case studies. The Donabedian model for health‐care improvement was used to classify PCC domains into the categories of “Structure,” “Process” and “Outcome” for health‐care quality improvement. Discussion: The framework emphasizes the structural domain, which relates to the health‐care system or context in which care is delivered, providing the foundation for PCC, and influencing the processes and outcomes of care. Structural domains identified include: the creation of a PCC culture across the continuum of care; co‐designing educational programs, as well as health promotion and prevention programs with patients; providing a supportive and accommodating environment; and developing and integrating structures to support health information technology and to measure and monitor PCC performance. Process domains describe the importance of cultivating communication and respectful and compassionate care; engaging patients in managing their care; and integration of care. Outcome domains identified include: access to care and Patient‐Reported Outcomes. Conclusion: This conceptual framework provides a step‐wise roadmap to guide health‐care systems and organizations in the provision PCC across various health‐care sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]