6th UK and Ireland Implementation Science Research Conference 2023
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PRESENter
Nickola Pallin
presenter biography
Nickola is a HRB SPHeRE (Structured Population and Health Services Research Education) PhD scholar at the School of Public Health, University College Cork. Her PhD is focusing on developing an implementation intervention to improve the quality and reach of self-management support in cancer care. Her research interests include cancer survivorship, quality improvement and implementation science. Prior to her PhD she was a lecturer in Therapeutic Radiography in London Southbank University, and a Cancer Research UK pre-doctoral fellow in the Department of Behavioural Science and Health in University College London
background
National policy in Ireland has recommended that cancer services implement survivorship programmes which includes self-management with support. Self-management support (SMS) programmes have been adopted but implemented with varying levels of reach (uptake) among people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC). This study aimed to identify the enablers and barriers to participating in SMS among those LWBC in Ireland to inform tailoring of implementation strategies to increase reach of SMS.
MEthod
This is a qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people LWBC. The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) informed the topic guide and analysis. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted to identify categories relating to barriers and enablers to participating in SMS. These were then deductively mapped onto the TDF and capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour (COM-B) model.
results
Twenty-eight interviews were conducted. Eleven had taken part in a SMS programme. Emotion and identity (illness perception) shaped participants’ beliefs about whether they would choose to participate in a programme. A lack of knowledge of available programmes and how to access were commonly reported barriers, with participants describing limited information received from their healthcare providers. Inaccessible programmes due to timing and place of delivery (environmental context and resources) was also a common barrier. Social influences which include healthcare professionals and peer support groups were identified as key enablers. As well as supportive reminders (memory, attention, and decision-making).
Conclusion
We identified key factors that influence the capability, opportunity and motivation among those LWBC to participate in SMS. Findings suggest implementation strategies aiming to improve reach of SMS at the patient level could target knowledge, memory, identity, emotion, environmental context and social influences.