The use of telehealth services has surged, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. As practitioners, it's essential to understand the factors that influence the successful implementation of telehealth services. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) provides a comprehensive approach to evaluate these factors. A recent scoping review titled "A scoping review of applications of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to telehealth service implementation initiatives" offers valuable insights that can guide practitioners in enhancing their telehealth implementation strategies.
Key Findings from the Review
The review analyzed 64 peer-reviewed articles to understand the scope of knowledge gained from CFIR applications to telehealth. Here are some of the critical findings:
- Predominant Role of Inner Setting: The Inner Setting domain, which includes factors like leadership engagement, resource availability, and implementation climate, was found to be the most influential in determining telehealth implementation success.
- Importance of Intervention Characteristics: Adaptability of the intervention to the prevailing context and workflow was crucial for successful implementation.
- Role of Process: Effective stakeholder engagement and championing were often linked to successful telehealth initiatives.
- Limited Role of Outer Setting: Policy-level factors like reimbursement were less frequently cited as significant, suggesting that internal organizational factors play a more critical role.
Implications for Practitioners
Understanding these findings can help practitioners focus their efforts on the most impactful areas:
- Leadership Engagement: Ensure that leadership is actively involved in the telehealth implementation process. Their support can facilitate better resource allocation and stakeholder engagement.
- Resource Availability: Make sure that adequate resources are available for the telehealth initiative, including technology, training, and support systems.
- Implementation Climate: Foster a positive implementation climate by setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and recognizing efforts.
- Intervention Adaptability: Choose telehealth solutions that can be easily integrated into existing workflows and are adaptable to the specific needs of your organization.
Encouraging Further Research
While the review provides valuable insights, there is still a need for more research, particularly studies that include outcome measures of telehealth implementation effectiveness. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in or support research efforts that seek to understand the complex inter-relationships between CFIR domains and telehealth implementation success.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: A scoping review of applications of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to telehealth service implementation initiatives.
