Implementing digitally enabled integrated healthcare
article
Purpose – The European funded project ADLIFE focuses on the application of digitally enabled integrated
care for people with advanced chronic diseases. The implementation of the ADLIFE intervention required a
robust practical tool that would be common to all pilot sites while allowing flexibility for local variations as well
as the ability to adapt to unanticipated changes and problems.
Design/methodology/approach – The ADLIFE project combined the concepts of implementation
research and formative evaluation with the standardized operating procedures (SOP) methodology. The
ADLIFE project significantly modified the SOP approach and used it as a means to not only to define and
organize the tasks that needed to be performed in preparing and implementing the ADLIFE intervention but
also to create a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced in each site, as well as a method for
achieving a consensus.
Findings – The ADLIFE SOPs were developed by a dedicated working group, and they encompassed the
preparatory phase leading up to implementation of the intervention. The SOP was also the basis for monitoring
the implementation, and this created a structure for the dynamic ongoing tactical and even strategic changes
necessitated by local diversity as well as many unanticipated changes.
Originality/value – The SOP methodology was useful in supporting the development of the ADLIFE
SOP, which was a consensus-based approach to guide for managing the implementation process, both at
project and local levels. It has supported continuous improvement and learning throughout the project
care for people with advanced chronic diseases. The implementation of the ADLIFE intervention required a
robust practical tool that would be common to all pilot sites while allowing flexibility for local variations as well
as the ability to adapt to unanticipated changes and problems.
Design/methodology/approach – The ADLIFE project combined the concepts of implementation
research and formative evaluation with the standardized operating procedures (SOP) methodology. The
ADLIFE project significantly modified the SOP approach and used it as a means to not only to define and
organize the tasks that needed to be performed in preparing and implementing the ADLIFE intervention but
also to create a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced in each site, as well as a method for
achieving a consensus.
Findings – The ADLIFE SOPs were developed by a dedicated working group, and they encompassed the
preparatory phase leading up to implementation of the intervention. The SOP was also the basis for monitoring
the implementation, and this created a structure for the dynamic ongoing tactical and even strategic changes
necessitated by local diversity as well as many unanticipated changes.
Originality/value – The SOP methodology was useful in supporting the development of the ADLIFE
SOP, which was a consensus-based approach to guide for managing the implementation process, both at
project and local levels. It has supported continuous improvement and learning throughout the project
TNO Identifier
996513
Source
Journal of Integrated Care, 32(5), pp. 25-36.
Pages
25-36