DANA L. RILEY, PHD POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW, UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA MAY 28, 2014 CPHA PUBLIC HEALTH 2014 CONFERENCE An implementation evaluation of the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health: A qualitative study 1

Support and guidance Financial support Ivy Bourgeault, PhD  Postdoctoral supervisor Donna Ciliska, PhD Research Assistants:  Naomi Tschirhart  Heather Greenwood Acknowledgements 2

Outline Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion 3

Background Need to strengthen the Canadian public health system Insufficient implementation of evidence-based practices and policies in public health  Largely due to the lack of appropriate communication channels between public health researchers, policy-makers and practitioners National Collaborating Centres for Public Health (NCCs) established to fill this gap 4

Rationale The six NCCs represent a complex, interconnected network  Mission is to promote and improve the use of scientific research and other knowledge Need to identify and understand the multiple components of this population health intervention Gain greater breadth and depth of knowledge regarding the context that either promoted or hindered its development 5

Objective 6 To determine what factors contributed to or hindered the development, maintenance and productivity of the NCCs to facilitate continued sustainability and adaptability.

Methods Document Analysis Focus Groups Key Informant Interviews 7

Focus Groups Key Informant Interviews Semi-structured guide Five NCCs participated  2 in person  3 by phone Semi-structured guide Thirty key informants interviewed Results 8

Characteristics of Key Informants Characteristic Number (Percent) n=30 Occupation Provincial Government Municipal Public Health Department Federal Government Academic/University Private Sector 12 (40.0) 9 (30.0) 3 (10.0) Geographic Region Ontario BC Alberta Quebec Manitoba Nova Scotia NWT Other 12 (40.0) 6 (20.0) 4 (13.3) 3 (10.0) 2 (6.7) 1 (3.3)

Results ImplementationMaintenanceSustainability 10

Factors Associated with the Implementation of the NCCs Contributing FactorsHindering Factors Invest in new approachBroad mandate Adaptability/FlexibilityDiverse geography and audiences Leveraging available resourcesHave not developed as a collective Leadership and supportive infrastructure Funding, human resource & infrastructure challenges Responsive to stakeholder needs 11

Factors Associated with the Maintenance of the NCCs Contributing FactorsHindering Factors Building public health capacityEngagement challenges Culture of collaborationLack of sustainable funding & infrastructure Evolution of NCC program over timeDifficulties recruiting & retaining human resources Excellent leadership & human resourcesPotential scope duplication Wide dissemination of high-quality products & activities that are innovative, accessible & relevant to stakeholder needs Unfulfilled potential for collective credibility & action National & international reach 12

Factors Associated with the Sustainability of the NCCs Contributing FactorsHindering Factors Collaborative approachChallenges acting as a collective Creation of relevant, robust & accessible products Challenges engaging with stakeholders & target audiences Flexibility in program model Complexity of public health issues & NCC mandate Knowledge translation expertiseHuman resources or funding challenges Productive relationship with host institution Structural factors Positive reputation as key sources of information, evidence & KT strategies Responsiveness to stakeholder needs 13

Key Informant Recommendations Strengthen inter-NCC communication, collaboration & action Invest in collective coordinating resources NCC Collective Secure long-term, sustainable funding Diversify funding sources Streamline funding mechanism to reduce administrative burden Funding 14

Key Informant Recommendations Continue and increase use of social media & innovative KT methods Expand training & local capacity- building activities Expand existing & emerging approaches Products & Services Prepare succession plans Continue to engage stakeholders Strengthen connections with other organizations Continue efforts to avoid duplication Clarify future vision for the NCCs Strategic Planning 15

Conclusion 16 Overall, positive perceptions of the NCCs  Essential contribution to the public health landscape in Canada, particularly in the area of knowledge translation and exchange Need to consider contributing and hindering factors associated with the implementation, maintenance and productivity of the NCCs Going forward, consider some of the recommendations to strengthen NCC program model

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