Barriers and facilitators to using practice facilitators to implement a remote cancer symptom management...

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Oncology Practice Management
• Healthcare Facilitation

Background:

• Pragmatic cluster-randomized trial for cancer patients.
• Recruited practice facilitators ('Symptom Sages') from care settings.
• Mixed methods study to evaluate role barriers and facilitators.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate barriers and facilitators for practice facilitators in cancer care.
• Assess the impact of training, time allocation, and organizational support on role success.
• Identify implementation strategies to improve adoption in oncology settings.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) 2.0 for study design.
• Collected data via web-based surveys and semi-structured interviews.
• Analyzed qualitative data through coding and thematic analysis; quantitative data descriptively.

Main Results:

• Facilitators found training adequate but lacked sufficient protected time.
• Role motivation was affected by mixed intervention perceptions and inability to modify it.
• Challenges included motivating colleagues and securing organizational support.

Conclusions:

• Training alone is insufficient for practice facilitator success.
• Protected time is crucial for effective role performance.
• Additional implementation strategies are necessary for successful adoption in oncology.