Learning Collaboratives in the HEALing Communities Study: An Approach to Providing Training and Technical Assistance

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Reducing opioid overdose deaths requires innovative community partnerships and information sharing for evidence-based prevention strategies.
• The HEALing Communities Study, a multisite intervention, employed Learning Collaboratives for training and technical assistance across four states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design, implementation, and lessons learned from Learning Collaboratives within the HEALing Communities Study.
• To identify the strengths, challenges, and limitations of this collaborative approach through data synthesis.

Main Methods:

• State research teams developed varied approaches for Learning Collaborative delivery and evaluation.
• Site staff analyzed similarities and differences in session structure, frequency, topics, attendance, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• 383 Learning Collaborative sessions were conducted between January 2020 and December 2023, with an average of 30 participants per session.
• Participants included diverse frontline workers, clinicians, and community members, with voluntary, unpaid attendance.
• Collaboratives supported the implementation of key practices like naloxone distribution, medication for opioid use disorder, and safer opioid prescribing.

Conclusions:

• Learning Collaboratives effectively convened interprofessional partners for opioid overdose prevention, utilizing local expertise.
• These collaboratives adapted to community needs and current events, fostering multidirectional knowledge sharing.
• The initiative enhanced collaboration and improved service delivery by promoting network and resource sharing within and across communities.