Introducing the Canadian Thoracic Society Framework for Guideline Dissemination and Implementation, with Concurrent Evaluation

Abstract

The Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) is leveraging its strengths in guideline production to enable respiratory guideline implementation in Canada. The authors describe the new CTS Framework for Guideline Dissemination and Implementation, with Concurrent Evaluation, which has three spheres of action: guideline production, implementation infrastructure and knowledge translation (KT) methodological support. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research ‘Knowledge-to-Action’ process was adopted as the model of choice for conceptualizing KT interventions. Within the framework, new evidence for formatting guideline recommendations to enhance the intrinsic implementability of future guidelines were applied. Clinical assemblies will consider implementability early in the guideline production cycle when selecting clinical questions, and new practice guidelines will include a section dedicated to KT. The framework describes the development of a web-based repository and communication forum to inventory existing KT resources and to facilitate collaboration and communication among implementation stakeholders through an online discussion board. A national forum for presentation and peer-review of proposed KT projects is described. The framework outlines expert methodological support for KT planning, development and evaluation including a practical guide for implementers and a novel ‘Clinical Assembly – KT Action Team’, and in-kind logistical support and assistance in securing peer-reviewed funding.

The Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) represents more than 680 respirologists, researchers and physicians involved in respiratory health, with a key mandate to improve the health of Canadians with respiratory diseases through promotion of evidence-based respiratory care. For four decades, the CTS has been a world-leader in producing and disseminating high-quality clinical practice guidelines across a spectrum of respiratory conditions. In 2007, the CTS created the Canadian Respiratory Guidelines Committee (CRGC) to establish a new, uniform and best evidence-based standard for CTS guideline production methodology (1) and enable a new organizational focus on guideline implementation with concurrent evaluation.

Since that time, guideline writers in individual clinical assemblies (specific disease/topic guideline committees) have successfully learned and adopted these methods, and have applied them to produce new guidelines and standards in the following areas: pulmonary vascular disease; home mechanical ventilation; asthma; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; sleep disordered breathing; spirometry; and tuberculosis (2). We have also created the Canadian Respiratory Guidelines website, which has been a rapidly growing vehicle for passive guideline dissemination, with more than 75,000 annual visits from users in 16 countries this past year. We now present a detailed organizational approach to guideline implementation: the CTS Framework for Guideline Dissemination and Implementation, with Concurrent Evaluation.

FRAMEWORK

The elements of this framework are intended to support clinical assembly members and other interested parties in planning, designing and leading knowledge translation (KT) activities beginning with guideline production, continuing throughout implementation and ending with objective evaluation. It consists of three areas: KT methodology; communication, collaboration and KT resource sharing; and direct support for KT planning, development and evaluation.

KT methodology

Adoption of an overarching theoretical model to guide KT activities:

Several theories, models and frameworks have sought to explain and/or predict behaviour change and an overall approach is required to enable implementers to use these behaviour change theories to plan successful KT interventions. In 2006, Graham et al (6) studied more than 60 planned action models, characterizing common elements in an effort to devise a comprehensive but practical framework for KT activities. This approach, termed the ‘Knowledge-to-Action’ process, has since been broadly espoused by implementation researchers, recommended by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) (4) and herein designated as the CTS model for conceptualizing and developing KT interventions (5).

Adoption of intrinsic KT strategies at the guideline production stage:

Conventional implementation efforts begin after guideline production. The CTS strategic plan seeks to promote a more ‘upstream’ approach. Clinical assemblies are encouraged to consider implementability and seek input from knowledge users at the beginning of the guideline production process. When selecting clinical questions to address within guidelines, clinical assemblies will be asked to consult with end users about which questions are most relevant and to consider the following factors influencing implementability: the magnitude of the knowledge-to-care gap; target audience(s); known barriers and supports to implementation; possible implementation strategies; societal impact; and relevant metrics to be used in evaluating the success of the implementation program. Future guidelines will also include a dedicated KT section that will describe each of these factors in relation to each of the recommendations considered by guideline producers to be top priorities for KT activities. Research has also shown that features that are ‘intrinsic’ to guidelines, including the format and content of the recommendations, influence user perceptions and guideline uptake (6). The CTS intends to use this body of research to improve the intrinsic implementability of its guidelines by formatting recommendations in accordance with this evidence.

Communication, collaboration and KT resource sharing

Creation of a repository of existing KT resources, programs and projects:

Although KT is a relatively new field, and the need for KT in respiratory diseases in particular has only recently gained wide recognition, experience and resources are beginning to grow both in Canada and around the world. Accordingly, to both minimize duplication and to benefit from previous experience, common interests and skills, the CRGC plans to develop a repository of respiratory-specific KT material for would-be implementers. This implementation ‘tool-box’ would include information about existing knowledge tools, such as continuing professional development resources and other such tools, many of which are available online; planned, ongoing and previous local, provincial and national implementation programs and projects; and ongoing KT studies in the respiratory field (as documented by granting agencies and on trial registers). The CTS will approach its members, guideline authors (experts), respiratory organizations, provincial lung associations and health ministries to contribute to this repository, which will be linked to the CTS website (www.respiratory-guidelines.ca/).

Facilitation of communication among key stakeholders:

The CTS will establish mechanisms for identification and communication among respiratory knowledge implementers in Canada and internationally, including practitioners, researchers, funders, health advocacy organizations (ie, provincial lung associations) and decision makers (ie, health ministry representatives). Examples include a KT discussion board hosted on the CRGC website, and a forum for presentation and peer-review of proposed KT projects at the annual Canadian Respiratory Conference.

Direct support for KT planning, development and evaluation

Development of a practical guide to support implementers:

The KTA process provides excellent theoretical underpinnings by which to both identify relevant gaps requiring KT initiatives and guide principles of intervention design and effect measurement. However, guideline committees have requested a systematic guide with practical instructions for each distinct stage in the KTA cycle. Several organizations have developed KT guides for specific types of implementers and content areas. Informed by these existing resources, the CRGC will complete a detailed practical guide and corresponding training program for its clinical assemblies.

Methodological support:

The CTS will support implementation projects through a ‘Clinical Assembly – KT Action Team’ consisting of members of the relevant clinical assembly (content experts) and KT experts from the CRGC. KT experts will help to maintain project alignment with the CIHR KT Framework and offer methodological and evaluation support. The CTS will offer logistical support for these implementation projects. Only projects with formal evaluative components will be supported through this mechanism.

Initially, implementation projects will originate from within clinical assemblies; however, we anticipate that the KT repository will create opportunities for CTS assemblies to align with current and future projects to maximize efficiency. Trainees and junior investigators interested in KT will be encouraged to join the clinical assembly as ad hoc members for specific KT projects to build on current and future KT capacity.

Funding support:

The CTS will create a web-based inventory of existing KT program and research funding sources to help interested parties identify opportunities for KT project funding. The Clinical Assembly – KT Action Team will also play an active role in grant and proposal development. The CTS will provide a letter of support for relevant funding applications.

CONCLUSIONS

The CTS is excited to leverage its existing strengths in guideline production to transition to a new focus on active guideline implementation. Although other respiratory organizations have emphasized the importance of implementation activities and have proposed corresponding strategies (7,8), none have presented a dedicated and multi-faceted framework approach. Over the next five years, the success of this approach will be determined by the number of new implementation projects that arise from the framework, and their measured impact on health care processes and patient outcomes. We hope to enable the use of high-quality Canadian guidelines as a springboard for active KT and, in doing so, usher in a new era of respiratory guideline implementation and improved respiratory health for all Canadians.