Abstract
Introduction: Effective implementation of a research Program requires an actionable plan to guide execution. To assess the actionability and success of that plan, both scientific and implementation elements must be taken into account. The aim of this study is to assess the ‘Zero Childhood Cancer Personalised Medicine Program’ (the Zero Program), an Australian first-ever and most comprehensive personalised medicine programme for children with high-risk or relapsed cancer, in terms of its structure, process and implementational
effect.
Methods and analysis: We will assess Program delivery mechanisms. The development of the implementation and evaluation strategy will concentrate on the work of the Zero Program as a complex whole. This includes the structure of collaborative links across stakeholder groups involved in Program development and delivery, changes to collaborative relationships over time and the impact of group working on Program outcomes. We are applying a mixed methods design including: a rapid ethnography (observations of stakeholder interactions and
informal conversations), Program professionals’ completion of a rapid health implementation proforma, and a social network analysis. Formative evaluations of the implementation science effects, applying feedback techniques, e.g. Formative Evaluation Feedback Loops and the Zero Program professionals’ feedback, will determine where Program tailoring may be needed. A repeat of the social network analysis downstream will examine network changes over time,
followed by an Expert Panel using the expert recommendations for implementing change to assess the integration of implementation strategies into the Program structure. A summative evaluation of the Program will bring the research elements together, leading to comprehensive data triangulation, determining the sustainability and implementational-effects of Program delivery.
Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval for this study has been granted by Hunter New England Research Ethics Committee, New South Wales, Australia (approval ref: 2019/ETH12025). Knowledge translation will be achieved through publications, reports and conference presentations to healthcare professionals, patients, families and researchers.
Trial Registration NCT03336931; Pre-results.
effect.
Methods and analysis: We will assess Program delivery mechanisms. The development of the implementation and evaluation strategy will concentrate on the work of the Zero Program as a complex whole. This includes the structure of collaborative links across stakeholder groups involved in Program development and delivery, changes to collaborative relationships over time and the impact of group working on Program outcomes. We are applying a mixed methods design including: a rapid ethnography (observations of stakeholder interactions and
informal conversations), Program professionals’ completion of a rapid health implementation proforma, and a social network analysis. Formative evaluations of the implementation science effects, applying feedback techniques, e.g. Formative Evaluation Feedback Loops and the Zero Program professionals’ feedback, will determine where Program tailoring may be needed. A repeat of the social network analysis downstream will examine network changes over time,
followed by an Expert Panel using the expert recommendations for implementing change to assess the integration of implementation strategies into the Program structure. A summative evaluation of the Program will bring the research elements together, leading to comprehensive data triangulation, determining the sustainability and implementational-effects of Program delivery.
Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval for this study has been granted by Hunter New England Research Ethics Committee, New South Wales, Australia (approval ref: 2019/ETH12025). Knowledge translation will be achieved through publications, reports and conference presentations to healthcare professionals, patients, families and researchers.
Trial Registration NCT03336931; Pre-results.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e034522 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-8 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | BMJ Open |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 23 Jun 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright the Author(s) 2020. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.Keywords
- childhood cancer, genomics
- implementation science
- mixed methods research
- precision medicine
- rapid ethnography
- rapid-cycle evaluation