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Using formative evaluation to plan for electronic psychosocial screening in pediatric oncology
Author(s) -
Gilleland Marchak Jordan,
Halpin Sean N.,
Escoffery Cam,
Owolabi Shadé,
Mertens Ann C.,
WasilewskiMasker Karen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.5550
Subject(s) - psychosocial , formative assessment , focus group , medicine , qualitative research , medical education , family medicine , psychology , nursing , psychiatry , pedagogy , social science , marketing , sociology , business
Objective To demonstrate how formative research methods can be used to plan for implementation of evidence‐based psychosocial screening in pediatric oncology. Methods Multidisciplinary pediatric oncology professionals participated in focus groups to adapt the distress thermometer for electronic administration and develop health systems processes to promote psychosocial screening in the pediatric oncology outpatient clinic setting. Seven 1‐hour focus groups were conducted using a structured guide based on the reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance framework and transcribed verbatim. Two independent raters coded transcripts using a quasi‐deductive approach with high inter‐coder reliability (Cohen kappa >0.80). Results Participants' ( N = 44) responses were used to identify overarching topics related to the adoption, implementation, and maintenance of electronic screening (e‐screening) including: barriers to meeting families' psychosocial needs, identification of champions, suggestions to adapt the proposed e‐screening program, perceived barriers to e‐screening, and potential impact of carrying out e‐screening. Following review of qualitative data, we employed specific implementation strategies to promote adoption, implementation, and maintenance of an e‐screening program. Conclusions Perceived barriers to the implementation of psychosocial screening remain substantial, yet enthusiasm for using electronic health records (EHRs) technology to help meet patient needs through regular assessment was evident among pediatric oncology professionals. Electronic administration of screening and integration of results into the EHR in real time were identified as critical needs to overcome barriers to e‐screening. Formative research including qualitative data from stakeholders can be used to tailor implementation strategies to successfully support the adoption, implementation, and maintenance of e‐screening programs in pediatric oncology.