Facilitators and barriers affecting the implementation of diabetes prevention programs in primary care settings: A...

The implementation of diabetes prevention programs in primary care settings faces numerous challenges. Integrating the perspectives of various stakeholders is crucial for understanding these challenges. This meta-synthesis aims to identify and synthesize current evidence on the perceived facilitators and barriers of implementing diabetes prevention programs in primary care settings from the viewpoint of different stakeholders.

Six databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) were searched to identify qualitative studies. Potential studies were assessed for eligibility based on pre-set criteria. Quality appraisal was done on the included studies, and data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis and synthesized using Normalization Process Theory.

A total of 27 studies involving 481 patients and 297 stakeholders were included. Facilitators for patient engagement in diabetes prevention programs included accurate risk perception, recognition of program benefits, effective communication and promotion of program, tailored intervention content, supportive relationships with stakeholders, and ongoing monitoring and feedback. Barriers included risk underestimation, limited program awareness, complex or unclear intervention designs, constrained resources, and insufficient post-program support. For stakeholders, key facilitators were pre-implementation training, clear role assignment, inter-organizational collaboration, and effective feedback mechanisms to assess program quality. Barriers included communication breakdowns, undefined responsibilities, and limited time, staffing, and funding. These findings, mapped to the Context-Mechanism-Outcome framework, revealed multi-level factors influencing the implementation and sustainability of diabetes prevention programs.

This meta-synthesis highlights the importance of targeted education and structured risk communication to enhance patient awareness of prediabetes risks and program benefits. Personalized and actionable intervention strategies, combined with timely monitoring and feedback, can support patient adherence. Effective implementation also requires well-trained stakeholders, clearly defined roles, and adequate resources. To ensure long-term impact, future research should address the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of implementing diabetes prevention programs in primary care settings.