What factors influence organisational readiness for change? Implementation of the Australian clinical pathway for the screening, assessment and management of anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients (ADAPT CP)

• Published in: Supportive care in cancer Vol. 29; no. 6; pp. 3235 - 3244
• Main Authors: Geerligs, L., Shepherd, H. L., Butow, P., Shaw, J., Masya, L., Cuddy, J., Rankin, N. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.06.2021; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adults; Anxiety; Cancer; Cancer patients; Depression, Mental; Evidence-based medicine; Health care delivery; Management of change; Medical screening; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental depression; Mixed methods research; Nursing; Nursing Research; Oncology; Original Article; Pain Medicine; Patient care planning; Rehabilitation Medicine; Australia; Cancer care services; Psycho-oncology; Organisational readiness; Implementation science
• ISSN: 0941-4355; 1433-7339
• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05836-9

Aims Translation of evidence-based psycho-oncology interventions into routine care can significantly improve patient outcomes, yet effective implementation remains challenging due to numerous real-world barriers. A key factor that may influence implementation is organisational readiness for change. This mixed method study sought to identify factors associated with organisational readiness for implementing the Australian clinical pathway for the screening, assessment and management of anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients (ADAPT CP). Methods We collected data from multidisciplinary staff across six Australian cancer services who were preparing to implement the ADAPT CP. Services were categorised as having ‘high’ versus ‘mid-range’ organisational readiness based on a median split on the Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change (ORIC) questionnaire (score range = 12–60). Qualitative data from the semi-structured interviews based on the Promoting Action Research in Health Services (PARiHS) framework were analysed thematically and compared for services with high- versus mid-range organisational readiness. Results Three services with high- (mean ORIC range, 52.25–56.88), and three with mid-range (range, 38.75–46.39) organisational readiness scores were identified. Staff at services reporting higher readiness described a more collaborative and proactive service culture, strong communication processes and greater role flexibility. They also reported greater confidence in overcoming anticipated barriers and clearer strategies for addressing issues. Conclusions Levels of organisational readiness were related to distinct qualitative themes. Targeting these issues in services where readiness is mid-range or low prior to full-scale roll-out may improve staff levels of confidence and efficacy in implementing psycho-oncology-focused interventions.