The lessons learned presented in this article were identified through a standardized implementation assessment process. During the planning and pilot phase, PRG and LPHI staff utilized a structured document to identify implementation issues, potential recommendations to address each concern, and resolution strategies and due dates on an ongoing basis. Findings described in this article result from the authors' review of these and other formative project-related documents, including questionnaires administered to leaders of all three types of partner organizations; notes documenting the content of planning meetings and calls among LPHI, PRG, and partner organizations; OAH-required progress reports written by LPHI's project manager; and other planning documents.
Additionally, PRG staff conducted informal interviews with LPHI's 4Real Health project director and two project managers. These interviews included open-ended questions about the director and managers' perceptions of barriers and facilitators experienced during program planning and piloting. Topics addressed included the benefits and barriers of partnership with different types of organizations, reasons why specific partnerships were successful or discontinued, and the external factors that acted as barriers to successful implementation. Finally, the director and managers were asked about suggestions and recommendations they would offer other organizations who were attempting to administer community-based TPP programs.
Our review of this information was guided by four exploratory themes:
1.What organizational component barriers were experienced in implementing this EBP?
2.What organizational components facilitated the implementation of this EBP?
3.What external factors impacted the implementation of this EBP?
4.What lessons learned can be articulated from the organizational and external barriers and facilitators experienced during the implementation of this EBP?
With these four questions serving to guide the investigative focus, the authors reviewed the data sources outlined above to identify emergent themes and interpret the data relevant to the questions.