Using a "Kickoff" to build implementation partner teams and action plans for active implementation of a quality...

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Healthcare Improvement
• Clinical Process Redesign

Background:

• Successful implementation of healthcare interventions requires effective transition strategies.
• Team kickoffs serve as a critical juncture between pre-implementation planning and active project rollout.
• The Protocol-guided Rapid Evaluation of Veterans Experiencing New Transient neurological symptoms (PREVENT) initiative aimed to enhance Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) care quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the frameworks underpinning the PREVENT kickoff strategy.
• To describe the design elements of the kickoff and their role in team formation, action planning, and implementation launch.
• To evaluate the perceived usefulness of these design elements in achieving kickoff objectives.

Main Methods:

• The PREVENT kickoff was informed by multiple frameworks: theory of change, Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), social learning, and systems redesign.
• Data collection included planning documents, national team debriefs, Audience Response System (ARS) data, site participant evaluations, and semi-structured interviews.
• A stepped-wedge trial design was employed across six Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers.

Main Results:

• Participants positively evaluated the framework-driven, interactive, and interpersonal aspects of the kickoff.
• Team-building and action plan exercises were perceived as valuable for a successful project launch.
• The kickoff's design motivated providers to plan for stroke/TIA care improvements.

Conclusions:

• Implementation team kickoffs are a valuable strategy during the pre-implementation phase.
• Kickoffs effectively inform and engage local clinical teams.
• These meetings facilitate the development of practice change plans to enhance clinical care.