Development and feasibility testing of an implementation evaluation tool: Recommendations from the managing epilepsy...

Area of Science:

• Epilepsy self-management (ESM) research and program implementation.

Background:

• The Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network developed and scaled epilepsy self-management (ESM) programs.
• The MEW Integrated Database (MEW DB) supports aggregate analysis of archival studies.
• An implementation evaluation tool is needed for ESM adopters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a practical implementation evaluation tool for epilepsy self-management (ESM) adopters.
• To outline the structure and content of the evaluation tool.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed publicly available materials on program implementation, adoption, and sustainability.
• Analyzed readiness surveys, content domains, and format styles for ESM implementation.
• Developed a 3-tier data element structure based on iterative review and item ranking.

Main Results:

• The tool comprises 18 data elements across 3 tiers: organizational characteristics, implementation readiness, and perceived program impact.
• Tier 1 assesses adopter characteristics, Tier 2 evaluates readiness, and Tier 3 captures adopter perceptions of ESM effects.
• Elements address health disparities, comorbidities, motivational factors, resources, and perceived effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• A brief, practical implementation evaluation tool for ESM has significant clinical and policy implications.
• This tool can advance the care and management of epilepsy.
• It supports the effective scale-up and adoption of ESM programs.