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✪ Strengthening the US Health Workforce to End the HIV Epidemic: Lessons Learned From 11 Ending the HIV Epidemic Jurisdictions

Authors:

Phillip L Marotta, Debbie Humphries, Daniel Escudero, David A Katz, Joseph G Rosen, Samantha Veronica Hill, Jennifer L Glick, Dennis H Li, Latosha Elopre, Fatemeh Ghadimi, Rinad S Beidas, Jose Bauermeister, Stephen Bonett, Drew B Cameron, LaRon E Nelson, Serena Rajabiun, Larry R Hearld, Mansoorah Kermani, Sarah Stoltman, Darjai Payne, Tobeya Ibitayo, Faiad Alam, Amanda Williams, Corilyn Ott, Emma Kay, Sarah Chrestman, Scott Batey, Laramie R Smith, Robin Gaines Lanzi, Karen Musgrove, Mayra Malagon, Jeannette Bailey-Webb, Florence Momplaisir, Robert Gross, Gregory Gross, Taylor Kaser, Tawnya Brown, Chelsey R Carter, Michael Mugavero , Tequetta Valeriano, Sarah Shaw, Anjuli D Wagner, Bakari Atiba, & Russell A Brewer

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: April 2025

Read the full text open access in the journal JAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

✪ Usability, Acceptability, and Barriers to Implementation of a Collaborative Agenda-Setting Intervention (CASI) to Promote Person-Centered Ovarian Cancer Care: Development Study

Authors:

Rachel A Pozzar, James A Tulsky, Donna L Berry, Jeidy Batista, Paige Barwick, Charlotta J Lindvall, Patricia C Dykes, Michael Manni, Ursula A Matulonis, Nadine J McCleary, and Alexi A Wright

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: March 2025

Read the full text in the open access journal JMIR Cancer

Abstract:

Background

People with advanced ovarian cancer and their caregivers report unmet supportive care needs. We developed a Collaborative Agenda-Setting Intervention (CASI) to elicit patients’ and caregivers’ needs through the patient portal before a clinic visit and to communicate these needs to clinicians using the electronic health record.

Objective

We aimed to assess the usability and acceptability of the CASI and identify barriers to and facilitators of its implementation.

Methods

We recruited English- and Spanish-speaking patients, caregivers, and clinicians from the gynecologic oncology program at a comprehensive cancer center. Participants used the CASI prototype and then completed individual cognitive interviews and surveys. We assessed usability with the System Usability Scale (scores range 0‐100, scores ≥70 indicate acceptable usability) and acceptability with the Acceptability of Intervention Measure and Intervention Appropriateness Measure (scores for both measures range from 1 to 5, higher scores indicate greater acceptability). Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using directed content analysis. Domains and constructs from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research comprised the initial codebook. We analyzed survey data using descriptive statistics and compared usability and acceptability scores across patients, caregivers, and clinicians using analyses of variance.

Results

We enrolled 15 participants (5 patients, 5 caregivers, and 5 clinicians). The mean System Usability Scale score was 72 (SD 16). The mean Acceptability of Intervention Measure and Intervention Appropriateness Measure scores were 3.9 (SD 1.0) and 4.1 (SD 0.8), respectively. Participants viewed the CASI content and format positively overall. Several participants appreciated the CASI’s integration into the clinical workflow and its potential to increase attention to psychosocial concerns. Suggestions to refine the CASI included removing redundant items, simplifying item language, and adding options to request a conversation or opt out of supportive care referrals. Key barriers to implementing the CASI include its complexity and limited resources available to address patients’ and caregivers’ needs.

Conclusions

The CASI is usable and acceptable to patients with advanced ovarian cancer, caregivers, and clinicians. We identified several barriers to and facilitators of implementing the CASI. In future research, we will apply these insights to a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility of comparing the CASI to usual care in a parallel group-randomized efficacy trial.

**This abstract is posted with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License**

✪ Development of a method for qualitative data integration to advance implementation science within research consortia

Authors:

Lisa DiMartino, Allison J. Carroll, Jennifer L. Ridgeway, Anna Revette, Joan M. Griffin, Bryan J. Weiner, Sandra A. Mitchell, Wynne E. Norton, Christine Cronin, Andrea L. Cheville, Ann Marie Flores, Justin D. Smith on behalf of the IMPACT Consortium

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: February 2025

Read the full text in the open access journal Implementation Science Communications

Abstract:

Background

Methods of integrating qualitative data across diverse studies and within multi-site research consortia are less developed than those for integrating quantitative data. The development ofsuchmethods is essential to support the data exchange needed for cross-study qualitative inquiry and given the increasing emphasis on data sharing and open science. We describe methods for qualitative data integration within the National Cancer Institute’s Improving the Management of symPtoms During And following Cancer Treatment (IMPACT) Consortium funded by the Cancer MoonshotSM. Data collection and analysis were guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Our case study highlights potential solutions for unique challenges faced when integrating qualitative data across multiple settings in a research consortium.

Methods

The IMPACT consortium is comprised of three research centers (RCs) each conducting pragmatic trials examining the effectiveness of routine symptom management on patient-centered outcomes. After reaching consensus on use of CFIR as the common implementation determinant framework, RCs developed a semi-structured interview guide and tailored it to features of their healthcare setting and symptom management interventions. RCs conducted interviews/focus groups with healthcare system partners to examine contextual factors impacting implementation. RCs exchanged 1–2 transcripts (n = 5 total) for purposes of pilot testing the methodology.

Results

Given the heterogeneity of study settings and contexts, it was challenging to simultaneously assign codes at both domain and construct levels and the process was resource intensive. Recommendations include employing a common framework for data collection and analyses from the outset, coding at domain level first and then incorporating construct codes, and centralizing processes via a coordinating center (or similar entity) and combining coded transcripts using qualitative software. We also generated an iteratively refined codebook that employed the CFIR schema and incorporated CFIR 2.0 to provide detailed guidance for coders conducting cross-study qualitative inquiry.

Conclusions

Limited guidance exists on how to support qualitative data integration, data exchange, and sharing across multiple studies. This paper describes a systematic method for employing an implementation determinant framework-guided approach to foster data integration. This methodology can be adopted by other research consortia to support qualitative data integration, cross-site qualitative inquiry, and generate improved understanding of evidence-based intervention implementation.

Contributions to the literature
  • Few standard practices exist for integrating qualitative data across different studies to conduct cross-study qualitative inquiry. Developing data integration procedures is critical to generating insights about practice improvement across settings and achieving goals of open science.
  • This report describes a method for integrating qualitative data using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research illustrated within the context of NCI’s Improving the Management of symPtoms During And following Cancer Treatment (IMPACT) Consortium.
  • The method describedcan be applied within research consortia and across multi-site studies to support qualitative data integration, thereby producing valuable insights to improve implementation of evidence-based interventions.

**This abstract is posted with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License**

Perspectives on Implementing a Communication Facilitator Intervention From a Critical Care Setting

Authors:

Jennifer Im, Erin Blakeney, Danae Dotolo, Anna Ungar, Rebecca Barton, Bryan J Weiner, Kathryn I Pollak, Elizabeth Nielsen, Lisa Hudson, Nancy Kentish-Barnes, Claire Creutzfeldt, Ruth A Engelberg, J Randall Curtis

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

Subscription Required for Full Text Access

Published: February 2025

Read the full text in the subscription access Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

✪ Health Care Professional Adherence to Breast Cancer Management Guidelines in Nigeria

Authors:

Anya Romanoff, Olalekan Olasehinde, Kathleen Lynch, Sharif Folorunso, Oluwatosin Omoyiola, Betiku Omolade, Adeleye Omisore, Chukwuma Eze Okereke, Olayide Agodirin, Abubakar Bala Muhammad, Nuhu Ali, Omorodion Irowa, Nneka Sunday Nweke, Uchechukwu Emmanuel Nwokwu, Adewale Aderounmu, Funmilola Wuraola, Hannah L Kalvin, Rivka Kahn, Grace Fitzgerald, Cristina Olcese, Alexia Iasonos, Victoria L Mango, Jamie S Ostroff, Rachel Vreeman, Benjamin O Anderson, T Peter Kingha, and Olusegun Isaac Alatise

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: February 2025

Read the full text in the open access journal JAMA Network Open

Abstract:

Importance

In Nigeria, 80% of breast cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage, when clinical management is complex and necessitates multidisciplinary collaboration. The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health promotes multidisciplinary tumor board (MDT) discussions and endorses the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Harmonized Guidelines for Sub-Saharan Africa (Harmonized Guidelines) to standardize breast cancer care, but the extent of their clinical utilization is not well understood.

Objective

To identify barriers to and facilitators of the standardization of breast cancer care in Nigeria as reflected by awareness and consultation of resource-adapted guidelines.

Design, Setting, and Participants

For this survey study, health care professionals (HCPs) involved in breast cancer care in Nigeria were recruited electronically through medical societies and snowball sampling from November 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024.

Exposure

Breast cancer care guidelines.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Current breast cancer guideline awareness, adherence among specialties, and multidisciplinary management in Nigeria were evaluated. A multinational, multidisciplinary team developed and distributed an HCP questionnaire. Cochran-Armitage trend tests and logistic regression assessed associations with guideline awareness and use.

Results

A total of 277 HCPs (median [IQR] age, 42 [38-48] years; 211 of 275 [77%] male), including 124 surgeons (45%), 59 radiologists (21%), 49 clinical oncologists (18%), and 45 pathologists (16%), responded to the survey. Of 274 HCPs, 253 (92%) believed that breast cancer guidelines contribute to better patient outcomes, and 100 of 195 (51%) routinely consulted guidelines. Of 273 HCPs, 103 (38%) had regular engagement in breast cancer MDT discussions. Only 93 of 277 HCPs (34%) were aware of resource-adapted Harmonized Guidelines; both guideline awareness and consultation increased with the frequency of MDT participation. Completing a cancer-related fellowship (OR, 14.56; 95% CI, 6.24-40.00; P < .001), clinical oncology specialization (OR vs surgery, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.09-0.42]; OR vs pathology, 0.05 [95% CI, 0.02-0.14]; OR vs radiology, 0.02 [95% CI, 0.01-0.06]; P < .001), devoting more time to breast health care delivery (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.05; P < .001), and regular MDT engagement (OR for weekly vs none, 5.13; 95% CI, 1.69-17.35; P = .04) were associated with consulting guidelines regularly on univariable analysis. To improve guideline adherence, 230 of 277 HCPs (83%) reported needing regular MDT discussions.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this survey of HCPs across Nigeria, half reported routinely consulting guidelines and only one-third were aware of the Harmonized Guidelines, which are resource adapted and endorsed by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health. Approximately one-third of HCPs reported engaging in regular breast cancer MDT discussions; guideline awareness and consultation increased as frequency of MDT participation increased. Opportunities for disseminating knowledge, such as MDT discussions and fellowship training, are essential to standardize breast cancer care delivery in Nigeria.

**This abstract is posted with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License**

✪ Implementation Outcomes From a Pilot Study of Mindful Awareness in Body-Oriented Therapy (MABT) as a Chronic Pain Treatment Modality in an Integrative Health Clinic

Authors:

Kathryn A. Hansen, Erin Blakeney, and Cynthia J. Price

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: February 2025

Read the full text in the open access journal Integrative Medicine & Health

Abstract:

Background

As regulation of opioid prescribing evolves, primary care and pain clinics are shifting to provide non-pharmacological and interdisciplinary chronic pain care. An under-utilized but growing area of health care for chronic pain is complementary and integrative health (CIH). However, there is limited availability of CIH approaches within the health care system. Mindful Awareness in Body-Oriented Therapy (MABT) is an evidence-based mind-body therapy, with a manualized protocol, that focuses on developing interoceptive sensibility for improved self-awareness and nervous system regulation. Prior MABT research shows MABT improves self-report and physiological indicators of interoception as well as mental and physical symptoms of distress.

Methods

This pilot single-group study used a hybrid implementation-effectiveness design and mixed methods to study implementation strategies and outcomes for bringing MABT into an integrative chronic pain clinic. Administrative data, staff surveys, and focus groups were used to understand the implementation process and outcomes (see Additional files 2, 3, and 4). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey and administrative data. A content analysis approach was used to analyze qualitative data from focus groups.

Results

7 staff surveys were administered over the 24-month study period and showed high acceptability and appropriateness that increased over time. Adoption, feasibility, and sustainability were also high. Clinicians made 70 referrals to MABT, 56 patients scheduled a session, 41 patients completed at least one session, and 71% of these completed the protocol. Focus groups identified MABT as a therapy that filled a gap in services, particularly for patients with a lack of body awareness and high emotion dysregulation.

Conclusion

Implementation of MABT was highly successful in an integrative health clinic focused on chronic pain treatment.

ClinicalTrials.gov registration

NCT05289024 Registered March 11, 2022

**This abstract is posted with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License**

Feasibility of Using Patient Navigation to Improve Identification of Hereditary Cancer Syndromes in Newly Diagnosed Colorectal Cancer Patients

Authors:

Emma Sears, Jacky Dahlquist, Sarah Stayman, Cynthia Ko, Eric Q. Konnick, Allison Cole, Ying Zhang, Marlana Kohn, Vida Henderson, and Sarah Knerr

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

Subscription Required for Full Text Access

Published: February 2025

Read the full text in the subscription access journal Genetics in Medicine

Barriers and facilitators to implementing enteral resuscitation for major burn injuries: Reflections from Nepalese care providers

Authors:

Raslina Shrestha, Kajal Mehta, Aldina Mesic, Dinasha Dahanayake, Manish Yadav, Shankar Rai, Kiran Nakarmi, Pariwesh Bista, Tam Pham, and Barclay T. Stewart

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

Subscription Required for Full Text Access

Published: February 2025

Read the full text in the subscription access journal Burns

✪ Training and Support Practices and Insights in the Sustainability of mHealth Implementations in Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors:

Diana Babirye & Richard Anderson

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: January 2025

Read the full text in the open access ACM Journal on Computing and Sustainable Societies

Abstract:

We conducted an interview-based study to understand the training and support practices and insights that influence sustainable implementations of mHealth projects of varying mHealth technologies. The qualitative assessment was inspired by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research adapted with the recommended questions for guiding the implementation of training programs. Participants in the study (N = 16) were both international and in-country researchers managing projects in sub-Saharan Africa. We chose to focus on training and support, as it is often the interface between international and in-country components of these projects. Participants agreed on the central role of training in the implementation of mHealth projects and are following best practices. There was often a division in the responsibility of training between international and in-country researchers reflecting the distinction between project management and local implementation adaptions. One of the main findings is the importance of individualized continuous retraining to make deployments robust with respect to changing conditions with technology and personnel, an aspect that has been managed a bit differently with varying mHealth technologies as presented in this article.

**This abstract is posted with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License**

✪ Sustainability of an evidence-based intervention supporting transition to independent care for youth living with HIV in Kenya

Authors:

Alina Metje, Sarah Shaw, Cyrus Mugo, Mercy Awuor, Annabell Dollah, Hellen Moraa, Christine Kundu, Dalton Wamalwa, Grace John-Stewart, Kristin Beima-Sofie, and Irene Njuguna

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: January 2025

Read the full text in the open access journal PLOS Global Public Health

Abstract:

Integrating and sustaining evidence-based interventions (EBIs) in routine care is crucial to improving HIV treatment outcomes among youth living with HIV (YLH). However, EBIs are often not sustained post clinical trial. An Adolescent Transition Package (ATP) delivered by health care workers (HCWs) and tested in Kenya in 2021 significantly improved YLH readiness to transition to independent care. Post-trial, participating clinics could continue using the ATP. We conducted 30 in-depth interviews with health care workers to evaluate determinants of continued ATP implementation one-year post-trial. Interviews used semi-structured guides, informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research version 2.0 (CFIR v2.0). Transcripts were analyzed thematically to identify key influences of ATP sustainment and fidelity post-trial. Effective training during and after the trial, and continued internal and external support for implementation, were crucial for sustained acceptability and feasibility. In contrast, staff shortages and high turnover, lack of integration into the existing electronic medical system, and maintaining staff motivation were barriers to ATP sustainment. Implementation fidelity was limited by workforce constraints and HCW beliefs about the importance of individualizing content and delivery to be responsive to individual client needs. ATP adaptability afforded optimization of delivery to overcome workforce constraints and meet client needs, increasing HCW perceptions of feasibility and motivating continued use. Alignment between observed impact and care provision goals further motivated ongoing ATP utilization. Strategies to ensure continued training and integration of tools into existing systems have the potential to further enhance ATP sustainability.

**This abstract is posted with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License**