Diffusion of community heart failure service innovation in Northamptonshire, England: a qualitative study

Heart failure is a complex disorder, that can require hospitalization and specialist care, which patients may experience challenges accessing. In Northamptonshire, an innovative approach to heart failure services was introduced to address these challenges. This study aimed to explore and understand the diffusion dynamics of the heart failure service in Northamptonshire, focusing on adoption and implementation determinants.

This qualitative study involved 11 in-depth interviews with four patients, two community carers, one general practitioner, one nurse, one programme director, and two interviews with a community cardiologist. The diffusion of innovation-guided inductive and deductive thematic analyses were used to identify themes and subthemes.

The community heart failure services incorporated community cardiology clinics and community asset groups. Implementation of these innovations was characterized by competent leadership, positive managerial relationships between community cardiologists, general practitioners, and third-sector professionals, a 'tension for change' to reduce hospital admissions, improve access, and dedicated funding ('slack resources'). The 'relative advantage' identified by both service providers and patients was access to specialist care closer to home, rehabilitation, education, and nutrition services. The heart failure innovation aligned with the organizational values of primary care and third-sector organizations, facilitating readiness for adoption and implementation. Challenges emerged from limited management accountabilities, such as inadequate administrative and information technology support, hindering the implementation.

The heart failure innovation was perceived to improve care, navigating both facilitators and challenges. The diffusion of innovation theory highlighted the importance of governance and the performance of community heart failure services within a complex intervention context.