Process evaluation of the scale-up of integrated diabetes and hypertension care in Belgium, Cambodia and Slovenia (the SCUBY Project): a study protocol

Monika Martens, Edwin Wouters, Josefien van Olmen, Zalika Klemenc Ketiš, Srean Chhim, Savina Chham, Veerle Buffel, Katrien Danhieux, Nataša Stojnić, Črt Zavrnik, Antonija Poplas Susič, Wim Van Damme, Por Ir, Roy Remmen, Grace Marie V Ku, Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch, Daniel Boateng

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Integrated care interventions for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension (HT) are effective, yet challenges exist with regard to their implementation and scale-up. The 'SCale-Up diaBetes and hYpertension care' (SCUBY) Project aims to facilitate the scale-up of integrated care for T2D and HT through the co-creation and implementation of contextualised scale-up roadmaps in Belgium, Cambodia and Slovenia. We hereby describe the plan for the process and scale-up evaluation of the SCUBY Project. The specific goals of the process and scale-up evaluation are to (1) analyse how, and to what extent, the roadmap has been implemented, (2) assess how the differing contexts can influence the implementation process of the scale-up strategies and (3) assess the progress of the scale-up.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A comprehensive framework was developed to include process and scale-up evaluation embedded in implementation science theory. Key implementation outcomes include acceptability, feasibility, relevance, adaptation, adoption and cost of roadmap activities. A diverse range of predominantly qualitative tools-including a policy dialogue reporting form, a stakeholder follow-up interview and survey, project diaries and policy mapping-were developed to assess how stakeholders perceive the scale-up implementation process and adaptations to the roadmap. The role of context is considered relevant, and barriers and facilitators to scale-up will be continuously assessed.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been obtained from the Institutional Review Board (ref. 1323/19) at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (Antwerp, Belgium). The SCUBY Project presents a comprehensive framework to guide the process and scale-up evaluation of complex interventions in different health systems. We describe how implementation outcomes, mechanisms of impact and scale-up outcomes can be a basis to monitor adaptations through a co-creation process and to guide other scale-up interventions making use of knowledge translation and co-creation activities.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere062151
JournalBMJ Open
Volume12
Issue number12
Number of pages13
ISSN2044-6055
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Humans
  • Belgium
  • Slovenia
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology
  • Cambodia
  • Hypertension/epidemiology

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