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DANA L . RILEY, PHDPOSTDOCTORAL FELLOW, UNIVERSITY OF

OTTAWA

MAY 28 , 2014CPHA PUBLIC HEALTH 2014 CONFERENCE

An implementation evaluation of the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health: A qualitative study

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Support and guidance Financial support

Ivy Bourgeault, PhD Postdoctoral

supervisorDonna Ciliska, PhDResearch

Assistants: Naomi Tschirhart Heather Greenwood

Acknowledgements

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Outline

BackgroundObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusion

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Background

Need to strengthen the Canadian public health system

Insufficient implementation of evidence-based practices and policies in public health Largely due to the lack of appropriate communication

channels between public health researchers, policy-makers and practitioners

National Collaborating Centres for Public Health (NCCs) established to fill this gap

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Rationale

The six NCCs represent a complex, interconnected network Mission is to promote and improve the use of scientific

research and other knowledge

Need to identify and understand the multiple components of this population health intervention

Gain greater breadth and depth of knowledge regarding the context that either promoted or hindered its development

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Objective

To determine what factors contributed to or hindered the development, maintenance and

productivity of the NCCs to facilitate continued sustainability

and adaptability.

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Methods

Document Analysis

Focus Groups

Key Informant Interview

s

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Focus GroupsKey Informant

Interviews

Semi-structured guide

Five NCCs participated 2 in person 3 by phone

Semi-structured guide

Thirty key informants interviewed

Results

Characteristics of Key Informants

Characteristic Number (Percent)n=30

Occupation Provincial Government Municipal Public Health Department Federal Government Academic/University Private Sector

12 (40.0)9 (30.0)3 (10.0)3 (10.0)3 (10.0)

Geographic Region Ontario BC Alberta Quebec Manitoba Nova Scotia NWT Other

12 (40.0)6 (20.0)4 (13.3)3 (10.0)2 (6.7)1 (3.3)1 (3.3)1 (3.3)

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Results

Implementation

Maintenance

Sustainability

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Factors Associated with the Implementation of the NCCs

Contributing Factors Hindering Factors

Invest in new approach Broad mandate

Adaptability/Flexibility Diverse geography and audiences

Leveraging available resources Have not developed as a collective

Leadership and supportive infrastructure

Funding, human resource & infrastructure challenges

Responsive to stakeholder needs

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Factors Associated with the Maintenance of the NCCs

Contributing Factors Hindering Factors

Building public health capacity Engagement challenges

Culture of collaboration Lack of sustainable funding & infrastructure

Evolution of NCC program over time

Difficulties recruiting & retaining human resources

Excellent leadership & human resources

Potential scope duplication

Wide dissemination of high-quality products & activities that are innovative, accessible & relevant to stakeholder needs

Unfulfilled potential for collective credibility & action

National & international reach

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Factors Associated with the Sustainability of the NCCs

Contributing Factors Hindering Factors

Collaborative approach Challenges acting as a collective

Creation of relevant, robust & accessible products

Challenges engaging with stakeholders & target audiences

Flexibility in program model Complexity of public health issues & NCC mandate

Knowledge translation expertise Human resources or funding challenges

Productive relationship with host institution

Structural factors

Positive reputation as key sources of information, evidence & KT strategies

Responsiveness to stakeholder needs

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Key Informant Recommendations

•Strengthen inter-NCC communication, collaboration & action•Invest in collective coordinating resources

NCC Collectiv

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•Secure long-term, sustainable funding•Diversify funding sources•Streamline funding mechanism to reduce administrative burden

Funding

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Key Informant Recommendations

• Continue and increase use of social media & innovative KT methods

• Expand training & local capacity-building activities

• Expand existing & emerging approaches

Products &

Services• Prepare succession plans• Continue to engage stakeholders• Strengthen connections with other

organizations• Continue efforts to avoid duplication • Clarify future vision for the NCCs

Strategic Planning

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Conclusion

Overall, positive perceptions of the NCCs Essential contribution to the public health landscape

in Canada, particularly in the area of knowledge translation and exchange

Need to consider contributing and hindering factors associated with the implementation, maintenance and productivity of the NCCs

Going forward, consider some of the recommendations to strengthen NCC program model

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Comments?

Questions?

For additional information:

Fireside ChatJune 12, 2014

1:00-2:00 pm EDTRegister at:

http://www.chnet-works.ca/

driley@uottawa.ca