Operationalizing Implementation Coaching in a Maternal Health Setting: Lessons From the Field.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Maternal Health

Background:

• The US faces rising maternal mortality and morbidity rates, unique among high-income nations.
• The Maternal Health Learning & Innovation Center (MHLIC) was established to support State Maternal Health Innovation (MHI) teams.
• MHLIC aims to build state capacity to address the maternal health crisis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the MHLIC coaching model.
• To evaluate MHLIC's role in supporting State MHI teams' capacity and initiative implementation.
• To explore how coaching facilitates state-level capacity building, strategy development, and maternal health initiatives.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study evaluated the MHLIC program.
• Quantitative data from coaching logs (REDCap) and qualitative data from semi-structured interviews were collected.
• Data included 1178 coaching interactions with 35 State MHI teams and interviews with staff from cohort 1 states.

Main Results:

• Coaching focused on building relationships, brokering resources, and facilitating connections.
• Capacity building efforts targeted effective engagement, systems leadership, and health equity.
• Key outputs included strategic planning, taskforce development, fostering innovation, and enhancing data capacity.

Conclusions:

• The MHLIC coaching model is a promising strategy for improving maternal health outcomes.
• Implementation coaching enhances state team capacity, leadership, and resource access.
• Findings support the role of coaching in accelerating maternal health improvements and promoting equitable care.