An exploratory mixed-methods study using the ELICIT framework to identify stakeholder-informed implementation...

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Population Health Management
• Information Technology in Healthcare

Background:

• GARDE is an open-source platform for population health management, aiding hereditary cancer cohort identification, patient engagement, and genetic testing access.
• The Evaluation in Life Cycle of Information Technology framework was used to identify barriers and facilitators for GARDE implementation across five healthcare systems.
• The study aimed to develop and prioritize implementation strategies for a GARDE implementation toolkit.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify barriers and facilitators to implementing the GARDE platform in diverse healthcare settings.
• To develop and refine strategies for overcoming implementation challenges.
• To prioritize strategies for creating a practical implementation toolkit.

Main Methods:

• Focus groups and in-depth interviews (n=17) were conducted at five healthcare systems implementing GARDE.
• The Evaluation in Life Cycle of Information Technology framework guided data collection and rapid qualitative analysis.
• A survey assessed the feasibility and importance of identified implementation strategies among GARDE implementers.

Main Results:

• Healthcare systems reported numerous barriers and facilitators to GARDE implementation, primarily related to information technology requirements for electronic health record integration.
• Eight distinct implementation strategies were identified as both crucial and practical for addressing identified challenges.
• Participants highlighted the need for robust IT infrastructure to support population health management innovations.

Conclusions:

• Population health management innovations offer solutions to healthcare challenges but require careful implementation, addressing IT needs and user engagement.
• An Evaluation in Life Cycle of Information Technology-informed approach successfully identified key barriers, facilitators, and strategies for implementing an EHR-integrated platform.
• An implementation toolkit is under development to support the broader adoption and dissemination of population health management platforms.