Author
Marcia W. Legro
Other affiliations: Veterans Health Administration, University of Washington
Bio: Marcia W. Legro is an academic researcher from United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The author has contributed to research in topics: Vaccination & Veterans Affairs. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 20 publications receiving 2049 citations. Previous affiliations of Marcia W. Legro include Veterans Health Administration & University of Washington.
Papers
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TL;DR: Nine PEQ scales demonstrated high internal consistency and will be useful in evaluation of prosthetic care and responsiveness to changes in prosthetic components.
412 citations
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TL;DR: The importance and role of 4 stages of formative evaluation in growing understanding of how to implement research findings into practice in order to improve the quality of clinical care is described.
Abstract: This article describes the importance and role of 4 stages of formative evaluation in our growing understanding of how to implement research findings into practice in order to improve the quality of clinical care. It reviews limitations of traditional approaches to implementation research and presents a rationale for new thinking and use of new methods. Developmental, implementation-focused, progress-focused, and interpretive evaluations are then defined and illustrated with examples from Veterans Health Administration Quality Enhancement Research Initiative projects. This article also provides methodologic details and highlights challenges encountered in actualizing formative evaluation within implementation research.
393 citations
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TL;DR: An evaluation of implementation-related facilitation experiences within QUERI provides evidence to suggest that facilitation could be considered a distinct implementation intervention, just as audit and feedback, educational outreach, or similar methods are considered to be discrete interventions.
Abstract: Facilitation has been identified in the literature as a potentially key component of successful implementation. It has not, however, either been well-defined or well-studied. Significant questions remain about the operational definition of facilitation and about the relationship of facilitation to other interventions, especially to other change agent roles when used in multi-faceted implementation projects. Researchers who are part of the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) are actively exploring various approaches and processes, including facilitation, to enable implementation of best practices in the Veterans Health Administration health care system – the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States. This paper describes a systematic, retrospective evaluation of implementation-related facilitation experiences within QUERI, a quality improvement program developed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. A post-hoc evaluation was conducted through a series of semi-structured interviews to examine the concept of facilitation across several multi-site QUERI implementation studies. The interview process is based on a technique developed in the field of education, which systematically enhances learning through experience by stimulating recall and reflection regarding past complex activities. An iterative content analysis approach relative to a set of conceptually-based interview questions was used for data analysis. Findings suggest that facilitation, within an implementation study initiated by a central change agency, is a deliberate and valued process of interactive problem solving and support that occurs in the context of a recognized need for improvement and a supportive interpersonal relationship. Facilitation was described primarily as a distinct role with a number of potentially crucial behaviors and activities. Data further suggest that external facilitators were likely to use or integrate other implementation interventions, while performing this problem-solving and supportive role. This evaluation provides evidence to suggest that facilitation could be considered a distinct implementation intervention, just as audit and feedback, educational outreach, or similar methods are considered to be discrete interventions. As such, facilitation should be well-defined and explicitly evaluated for its perceived usefulness within multi-intervention implementation projects. Additionally, researchers should better define the specific contribution of facilitation to the success of implementation in different types of projects, different types of sites, and with evidence and innovations of varying levels of strength and complexity.
336 citations
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TL;DR: Prosthesis-related issues of importance that were identified by a diverse group of persons living with lower limb amputations (LLA) and prostheses validate some old assumptions and challenge others, report both common and unusual experiences, and indirectly identify the information level of respondents concerning prostheses.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to report prosthesis-related issues of importance that were identified by a diverse group of persons living with lower limb amputations (LLA) and prostheses These perceptions and themes validate some old assumptions and challenge others, report both common and unusual experiences, and indirectly identify the information level of our respondents concerning prostheses Persons with LLA were identified from computerized rosters at a level one regional trauma center and at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System-Seattle, Division Inclusion criteria specified that respondents were to: 1) be one or more years post-unilateral amputation at the Syme's level (ankle disarticulation) or higher, 2) use their prosthesis at least 5 days a week, 3) read English, and 4) be able to provide informed consent Respondents completed the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire-field version (PEQ) and the standard form (SF)-36, a health status measure Of 114 persons who agreed to participate, 92 (85% male, mean age 55 years) responded to the questionnaire and graded the personal importance of various characteristics and qualities of their prosthesis The number of years since their last amputation ranged from 1 to 53 years Four Themes of Interest were identified from responses to open-ended questions about living with a prosthesis These themes included the fit of the socket with the residual limb, aspects of the mechanical functioning of the prosthesis, other nonmechanical qualities, and advice about adaptation to life with a prosthesis with support from others Future research is recommended to adjust aspects of the fit of the prosthesis with the residual limb Implementing periodic check-up visits could uncover problems and eliminate unnecessary suffering
287 citations
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TL;DR: The results support the importance of looking at pain as a multidimensional rather than a unidimensional construct and suggest that back pain after lower extremity amputation may be an overlooked but very important pain problem warranting additional clinical attention and study.
Abstract: This study describes the sensations and pain reported by persons with unilateral lower extremity amputations. Participants (n = 92) were recruited from two hospitals to complete the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire which included questions about amputation related sensations and pain. Using a visual analog scale, participants reported the frequency, intensity, and bothersomeness of phantom limb, residual limb, and back pain and nonpainful phantom limb sensations. A survey of medication use for each category of sensations also was included. Statistical analyses revealed that nonpainful phantom limb sensations were common and more frequent than phantom limb pain. Residual limb pain and back pain were also common after amputation. Back pain surprisingly was rated as more bothersome than phantom limb pain or residual limb pain. Back pain was significantly more common in persons with above knee amputations. These results support the importance of looking at pain as a multidimensional rather than a unidimensional construct. They also suggest that back pain after lower extremity amputation may be an overlooked but very important pain problem warranting additional clinical attention and study.
257 citations
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TL;DR: The CFIR provides a pragmatic structure for approaching complex, interacting, multi-level, and transient states of constructs in the real world by embracing, consolidating, and unifying key constructs from published implementation theories.
Abstract: Many interventions found to be effective in health services research studies fail to translate into meaningful patient care outcomes across multiple contexts. Health services researchers recognize the need to evaluate not only summative outcomes but also formative outcomes to assess the extent to which implementation is effective in a specific setting, prolongs sustainability, and promotes dissemination into other settings. Many implementation theories have been published to help promote effective implementation. However, they overlap considerably in the constructs included in individual theories, and a comparison of theories reveals that each is missing important constructs included in other theories. In addition, terminology and definitions are not consistent across theories. We describe the Consolidated Framework For Implementation Research (CFIR) that offers an overarching typology to promote implementation theory development and verification about what works where and why across multiple contexts. We used a snowball sampling approach to identify published theories that were evaluated to identify constructs based on strength of conceptual or empirical support for influence on implementation, consistency in definitions, alignment with our own findings, and potential for measurement. We combined constructs across published theories that had different labels but were redundant or overlapping in definition, and we parsed apart constructs that conflated underlying concepts. The CFIR is composed of five major domains: intervention characteristics, outer setting, inner setting, characteristics of the individuals involved, and the process of implementation. Eight constructs were identified related to the intervention (e.g., evidence strength and quality), four constructs were identified related to outer setting (e.g., patient needs and resources), 12 constructs were identified related to inner setting (e.g., culture, leadership engagement), five constructs were identified related to individual characteristics, and eight constructs were identified related to process (e.g., plan, evaluate, and reflect). We present explicit definitions for each construct. The CFIR provides a pragmatic structure for approaching complex, interacting, multi-level, and transient states of constructs in the real world by embracing, consolidating, and unifying key constructs from published implementation theories. It can be used to guide formative evaluations and build the implementation knowledge base across multiple studies and settings.
8,080 citations
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TL;DR: Although traditional clinical effectiveness and implementation trials are likely to remain the most common approach to moving a clinical intervention through from efficacy research to public health impact, judicious use of the proposed hybrid designs could speed the translation of research findings into routine practice.
Abstract: Objectives:This study proposes methods for blending design components of clinical effectiveness and implementation research. Such blending can provide benefits over pursuing these lines of research independently; for example, more rapid translational gains, more effective implementation strategies,
2,126 citations
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TL;DR: A meta-analytic review of the literature on tailored print health behavior change interventions found the sample size-weighted mean effect size of the effects of tailoring on health behaviorchange was found to be r = .074.
Abstract: Although there is a large and growing literature on tailored print health behavior change interventions, it is currently not known if or to what extent tailoring works. The current study provides a meta-analytic review of this literature, with a primary focus on the effects of tailoring. A comprehensive search strategy yielded 57 studies that met inclusion criteria. Those studies-which contained a cumulative N = 58,454-were subsequently meta-analyzed. The sample size-weighted mean effect size of the effects of tailoring on health behavior change was found to be r = .074. Variables that were found to significantly moderate the effect included (a) type of comparison condition, (b) health behavior, (c) type of participant population (both type of recruitment and country of sample), (d) type of print material, (e) number of intervention contacts, (f) length of follow-up, (g) number and type of theoretical concepts tailored on, and (h) whether demographics and/or behavior were tailored on. Implications of these results are discussed and future directions for research on tailored health messages and interventions are offered.
1,832 citations
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19 Mar 2013
TL;DR: Clinical Practice Guidelines The authors Can Trust shows how clinical practice guidelines can enhance clinician and patient decision-making by translating complex scientific research findings into recommendations for clinical practice that are relevant to the individual patient encounter, instead of implementing a one size fits all approach to patient care.
Abstract: Advances in medical, biomedical and health services research have reduced the level of uncertainty in clinical practice. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) complement this progress by establishing standards of care backed by strong scientific evidence. CPGs are statements that include recommendations intended to optimize patient care. These statements are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and costs of alternative care options. Clinical Practice Guidelines We Can Trust examines the current state of clinical practice guidelines and how they can be improved to enhance healthcare quality and patient outcomes. Clinical practice guidelines now are ubiquitous in our healthcare system. The Guidelines International Network (GIN) database currently lists more than 3,700 guidelines from 39 countries. Developing guidelines presents a number of challenges including lack of transparent methodological practices, difficulty reconciling conflicting guidelines, and conflicts of interest. Clinical Practice Guidelines We Can Trust explores questions surrounding the quality of CPG development processes and the establishment of standards. It proposes eight standards for developing trustworthy clinical practice guidelines emphasizing transparency; management of conflict of interest; systematic review--guideline development intersection; establishing evidence foundations for and rating strength of guideline recommendations; articulation of recommendations; external review; and updating. Clinical Practice Guidelines We Can Trust shows how clinical practice guidelines can enhance clinician and patient decision-making by translating complex scientific research findings into recommendations for clinical practice that are relevant to the individual patient encounter, instead of implementing a one size fits all approach to patient care. This book contains information directly related to the work of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), as well as various Congressional staff and policymakers. It is a vital resource for medical specialty societies, disease advocacy groups, health professionals, private and international organizations that develop or use clinical practice guidelines, consumers, clinicians, and payers.
1,527 citations
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TL;DR: This paper seeks to advance implementation science in mental health services by over viewing the emergence of implementation as an issue for research, by addressing key issues of language and conceptualization, and by presenting a heuristic skeleton model for the study of implementation processes.
Abstract: One of the most critical issues in mental health services research is the gap between what is known about effective treatment and what is provided to consumers in routine care. Concerted efforts are required to advance implementation science and produce skilled implementation researchers. This paper seeks to advance implementation science in mental health services by over viewing the emergence of implementation as an issue for research, by addressing key issues of language and conceptualization, by presenting a heuristic skeleton model for the study of implementation processes, and by identifying the implications for research and training in this emerging field.
1,345 citations