The LEAP Program: Quality Improvement Training to Address Team Readiness Gaps Identified by Implementation Science...

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Quality Improvement Science
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Integrating evidence-based innovations (EBIs) into healthcare systems is difficult, with many implementations failing.
• Enhancing frontline teams' quality improvement (QI) capabilities may improve readiness and success for EBI implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate the Learn. Engage. Act. Process. (LEAP) QI training program.
• To assess LEAP's impact on frontline obesity treatment teams within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Main Methods:

• A pre-post evaluation design was used for the LEAP program.
• MOVE! coordinators participated in the 21-week LEAP program, which included audit/feedback, curriculum, coaching, and an online platform.
• Surveys assessed organizational readiness for change and QI skills; assignment completion and aim achievement were also tracked.

Main Results:

• QI skills significantly improved post-LEAP (p<0.0001), but organizational readiness for change did not significantly improve overall.
• Completion rates for program assignments varied (35-100%), with nine teams achieving their improvement aims.
• High satisfaction was reported (81-89%), with most participants intending to continue using QI methods (74%) and improvement work (81%).

Conclusions:

• The LEAP program is a scalable QI training solution for VHA facility-based MOVE! teams.
• While LEAP enhanced QI skills and was well-received, teams encountered difficulties implementing changes amidst competing clinical demands.