Abstract
Background: Systematic approaches are needed to accurately characterize the dynamic use of implementation strategies and how they change over time. We describe the development and preliminary evaluation of the Longitudinal Implementation Strategy Tracking System (LISTS), a novel methodology to document and characterize implementation strategies use over time. Methods: The development and initial evaluation of the LISTS method was conducted within the Improving the Management of SymPtoms during And following Cancer Treatment (IMPACT) Research Consortium (supported by funding provided through the NCI Cancer MoonshotSM). The IMPACT Consortium includes a coordinating center and three hybrid effectiveness-implementation studies testing routine symptom surveillance and integration of symptom management interventions in ambulatory oncology care settings. LISTS was created to increase the precision and reliability of dynamic changes in implementation strategy use over time. It includes three components: (1) a strategy assessment, (2) a data capture platform, and (3) a User’s Guide. An iterative process between implementation researchers and practitioners was used to develop, pilot test, and refine the LISTS method prior to evaluating its use in three stepped-wedge trials within the IMPACT Consortium. The LISTS method was used with research and practice teams for approximately 12 months and subsequently we evaluated its feasibility, acceptability, and usability using established instruments and novel questions developed specifically for this study. Results: Initial evaluation of LISTS indicates that it is a feasible and acceptable method, with content validity, for characterizing and tracking the use of implementation strategies over time. Users of LISTS highlighted several opportunities for improving the method for use in future and more diverse implementation studies. Conclusions: The LISTS method was developed collaboratively between researchers and practitioners to fill a research gap in systematically tracking implementation strategy use and modifications in research studies and other implementation efforts. Preliminary feedback from LISTS users indicate it is feasible and usable. Potential future developments include additional features, fewer data elements, and interoperability with alternative data entry platforms. LISTS offers a systematic method that encourages the use of common data elements to support data analysis across sites and synthesis across studies. Future research is needed to further adapt, refine, and evaluate the LISTS method in studies with employ diverse study designs and address varying delivery settings, health conditions, and intervention types.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 153 |
| Journal | Implementation Science Communications |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2023 |
Funding
We are grateful to the consortium’s patient advocates, Christine Hodgdon, MS and Kimberly Richardson, MA. We would like to acknowledge the contribution of the rest of the IMPACT Consortium Group Members whose names are provided in the consortium authorship list. IMPACT is one of several initiatives funded by the Cancer MoonshotSMthat are aimed at accelerating a decade’s worth of cancer research in 5 years. The symptom burden experienced by people with cancer is considerable and improving symptom management is critical. IMPACT was designed to accelerate the use of effective symptom management systems that collect patient-reported data and support clinical responses consistent with evidence-based guidelines. Using implementation science approaches, IMPACT will evaluate the adoption of integrated electronic systems for monitoring and managing patient-reported symptoms in routine cancer care. More information about the IMPACT Consortium can be found at https://impactconsortium.azurewebsites.net/. Inquiries about the consortium can be sent to [email protected]. We would also like to thank the other members of our research teams, implementation partner sites and clinicians, and to the patients who have participated in the projects across the IMPACT Consortium. The Improving the Management of symPtoms during And following Cancer Treatment (IMPACT) Consortium is supported by funding provided through the Cancer Moonshot. Research reported in this publication was funded by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers UM1CA233033 (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN), UM1CA233035 (Northwestern University, Chicago, IL), UM1CA233080 (Baptist Health System, Memphis TN, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Lebanon, NH, Lifespan Health System Providence RI, Maine Medical Center Portland ME, and West Virginia University, Morgantown WV), and U24CA232980 (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. The Research Centers also acknowledge the support of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards at their respective institutions for REDCap support: UL1 TR001422; UL1TR002541; and UL1TR002377. We also acknowledge the Dissemination and Implementation Science Core of the Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute (UL1TR002538) for hosting and supporting the LISTS REDCap module.
Keywords
- Common data elements
- Implementation strategies
- Methodology
- Modifications
- Reporting
- Specification
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Policy
- Health Informatics
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
