Translation of Nutrition Science for the WIC Program and the Impact of Organizational Readiness for Change on Successful Translation (P17-008-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesTo understand the process of translating nutrition science for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and to identify key organizational readiness constructs that will aid in future successful knowledge translation. MethodsWIC food packages translate nutrition evidence into government program practices. In a public health decision-making setting, Knowledge Translation (KT) can be understood as action plans that promote evidence use and facilitate evidence-informed decision-making. A scoping review was conducted to conceptually map 38 available KT strategies with evidence-informed decisions made in public health settings. Next, building on this scoping review, a semi-structured interview guide was developed to analyze KT process and KT success at the state organizational level in the WIC program. Retrospective semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 key informants from 7 WIC state agencies. ResultsInterviewees shared the steps they undertook in order to implement the 2009 WIC regulation changes, and discussed the roles WIC state agencies played in helping to align WIC food packages with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In addition, thematic coding revealed key constructs of Organizational Readiness for Knowledge Translation in the WIC program. A WIC state agency could assess its level of readiness for knowledge translation, and implementing evidence-informed regulation changes, in terms of: 1) innovation readiness; 2) personal readiness; and 3) institutional readiness. Innovation readiness refers to the fit between a WIC regulation change and existing WIC program processes and practices. Personal readiness encompasses WIC participant and stakeholder readiness, while institutional readiness incorporates organizational values and goals, organizational contextual factors, and organizational information channels. ConclusionsDecision-makers can use the constructs discovered in this study to understand the KT process of implementing evidence-informed WIC regulation changes, identify factors that could influence states’ ability to be prepared, and gauge “practicality” of future proposed federal rules. Funding SourcesTufts University/University of Connecticut RIDGE Program Grant.