Implementing a knowledge translation intervention in long-term care: feasibility results from the Vitamin D and Osteoporosis Study (ViDOS)

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of implementing an interdisciplinary, multifaceted knowledge translation intervention within long-term care (LTC) and to identify any challenges that should be considered in designing future studies.

Design: Cluster randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Forty LTC homes across the province of Ontario, Canada.

Participants: LTC teams composed of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other staff.

Measurements: Cluster-level feasibility measures, including recruitment, retention, data completion, and participation in the intervention. A process evaluation was completed by directors of care indicating which process/policy changes had been implemented.

Results: Recruitment and retention rates were 22% and 63%, respectively. Good fidelity with the intervention was achieved, including attendance at educational meetings. After ViDOS, 7 process indicators were being newly implemented by more than 50% of active intervention homes.

Conclusion: Despite recruitment and retention challenges, the multifaceted intervention produced a number of policy/process changes and had good intervention fidelity. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01398527.

Keywords: Long-term care; feasibility; fractures; knowledge translation; osteoporosis; process.