Adapting evidence-based intervention in a Community Health Center (CHC): Opportunities and challenges

Introduction: Community health centers (CHCs) provide primary care to many low income, underserved, and vulnerable populations. Adaptation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) into practice offers an opportunity to improve the care of the diverse CHC patients. Methods: We are conducting 15 key informant interviews with the staff of a CHC to examine the adaptation, implementation, and maintenance of an EBI to promote colorectal cancer screening. The interviews are conducted with CHC staff with different roles and levels of responsibility. The staff participated in the interview included clinical staff, providers, supervisors, directors, and decision makers. Each interview lasted for an hour. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and imported to Atlas.ti for further analysis. Results: A majority of the staff interviewed agreed and welcomed the idea of incorporating EBIs into their work. Staffs at the management level and the providers are more familiar with the term EBI. Clinical staff is more concerned with the EBI's impact on their daily operations whereas management level staff related more to the organization's goals and mission as well as the population served. Conclusion: Adaptation of EBIs must consider their successful integration with routine and existing organizational structure. To achieve long - term sustainability, EBIs must also demonstrate their added value by addressing the CHCs' goals to improve patient outcomes.