Abstract

BackgroundLarge healthcare institutions like the Veterans Health Administration (VA) continually seek best practices to improve clinical care. Relational coordination is an evidence-based organizational theory of communicating and relating to coordinate work and drive performance outcomes. Implementing relational coordination-guided practices can be difficult due to challenges with spreading information across large systems. Using social marketing theory and evidence-based dissemination strategies, we developed an evidence-based dissemination plan to educate and motivate researchers and operational staff to study and implement relational coordination in the VA.MethodsIn this case study, we used the four Ps (product, price, place, promotion) of social marketing theory to develop a 2-phase dissemination strategy. In phase one, we created and distributed relational coordination information and invited VA staff to join the Relational Coordination Research Collaborative. In phase two, dissemination efforts targeted researchers ready to implement relational coordination within existing programs of research. Process and outcome measures included dissemination, engagement and adoption data and a post-project survey. Quantitative results were calculated using descriptive statistics. Survey text responses were analyzed using deductive content analysis and a structured categorization matrix.ResultsPhase one included social media dissemination, virtual and in-person presentations, as well as phone and email communication between project staff and the target audience. In total, 47 VA staff became members of the Relational Coordination Research Collaborative and 27 routinely participated in online research seminars. In phase 2, 13 researchers expressed interest in studying relational coordination and 5 projects were selected to participate. Multiple relational coordination-related trainings and publications originated from this program.ConclusionsDissemination approaches that involved personalized, one-on-one efforts (e.g., phone or email) seemed to be more effective at disseminating relational coordination compared to social media or online presentations. Participants in phase 2 agreed that relational coordination should be adopted in the VA but indicated that cost would be a barrier. Results support the importance of evidence-based dissemination planning that address the unique costs and benefits of programs.

Highlights

  • Large healthcare institutions like the Veterans Health Administration (VA) continually seek best practices to improve clinical care

  • Education and collaboration is available through the Relational Coordination Research Collaborative, which promotes the advancement of relational coordination through a diverse international community of leaders, researchers, and change agents

  • This paper describes dissemination of the RC in VA program, including the successful dissemination efforts that led to adoption of relational coordination into currently funded VA research and operational projects

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Summary

Introduction

Large healthcare institutions like the Veterans Health Administration (VA) continually seek best practices to improve clinical care. Relational coordination is an evidence-based organizational theory of communicating and relating to coordinate work and drive performance outcomes. Implementing relational coordination-guided practices can be difficult due to challenges with spreading information across large systems. Using social marketing theory and evidence-based dissemination strategies, we developed an evidence-based dissemination plan to educate and motivate researchers and operational staff to study and implement relational coordination in the VA. Researchers and clinicians continually develop new evidence-based practices to improve clinical care and patient safety. Relational coordination is a theory about the relational dynamics of coordinating work within and between teams and organizations. Implementation of relational coordination-guided management practices has positively influenced performance outcomes including safety, quality, efficiency, client satisfaction, and worker well-being [1]. Education and collaboration is available through the Relational Coordination Research Collaborative, which promotes the advancement of relational coordination through a diverse international community of leaders, researchers, and change agents

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