142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Translating research into practice: Lessons learned from providing technical assistance for PEARLS

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Lesley Steinman, MSW, MPH , Health Promotion Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Background: PEARLS is an evidence-based depression care management program for homebound elders. Despite strong evidence of effectiveness, adoption of PEARLS has been limited. We began providing monthly technical assistance to trained PEARLS providers in 2010 to help improve translation into everyday practice.

Aims: To categorize approaches for improving PEARLS reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance.

Methods: We conducted monthly technical assistance calls with PEARLS program providers starting in December 2010. We reviewed detailed notes from each call using the RE-AIM framework to categorize lessons learned to improve program implementation.

Results: Outreach and marketing strategies were identified to improve recruitment of program participants to reach underserved elders. Program efficacy included validated depression outcomes as well as other patient-centered outcomes and feedback, and process measures. Adoption of PEARLS described staff and organization characteristics. Technical assistance, training and supervision, networking providers, and balancing adaptations to local needs with fidelity measures were keys for implementation. Funding and long-term outcomes were primary measures of maintenance.

Implications: These findings have informed improvements to training, technical assistance, and supervision activities for PEARLS. This project provides lessons learned for translating other evidence-based programs into public health practice.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Identify key components of the PEARLS program. Describe the RE-AIM framework. Describe lessons learned from PEARLS program providers for improving PEARLS dissemination and implementation.

Keyword(s): Evidence-Based Practice, Depression

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have coordinated community-based research projects in aging and mental health for the past ten years. I am particularly interested in working with PEARLS program providers, participants, trainers, and other stakeholders to understand how to better translate this evidence-based depression program into everyday practice.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4002.0: Roundtable: Translating Aging Research into Practice