Table 3 Selected implementation strategies and their implementation protocol

Involving older adults

A senior organization representative

Provides feedback, proposes changes and makes suggestions on content of the message to be included in the letter and the video, and best strategies to reach older adults in their homes.

Get feedback from patient/consumers about the messages and implementation strategies selected.

Preparation phase

Two meetings

Research has shown positive benefits of involving public and patients in the recruitment process [35].

Champion support

A champion, member of the INSPIRE project

Promotes the implementation of the IAC and its services among his colleagues (mostly family doctors and internal medicine specialists), through e-mails.

Develops the content of letters for his colleagues and signs them

Provides feedback on the script and participates as a spokesman in a video (video A). The video is inserted as a QR code in letters.

Overcome resistance in the opening of the IAC among health care professionals and increase awareness of the IAC.

Preparation phase

One e-mail sent to the heads of the internal medicine Department of 5 local hospitals

One letter per family physician before and after the opening of the IAC.

Studies have reported the identification of champions as a key factor for implementation success [36].

Local consensus discussions

A champion and a senior organization representative

Reflect and agree on the messages on the content of the informational material to inform community care providers, older adults and caregivers and the public in general about the new IAC.

Determine the feasibility of the implementation strategies, and appropriateness of the content of the informational material.

Preparation phase

One meeting with the family physician and two meetings with the senior organization representative.

Research has shown positive benefits of involving public and patients in the recruitment process [35].

Informational visits

IAC management

Organizes individual meetings with targeted community care providers to raise awareness, introduce the IAC with the intent to clarify expectations regarding the opening and services offered in the center and their role in the implementation.

Knowledge about the IAC, intention to refer older adults to the IAC.

Implementation phase

One visit per targeted care provider for approximately 60 min before and after the opening of the IAC.

Research has shown positive benefits of involving public and patients in the recruitment process [35].

Informational material development and distribution

Three research team members, our champion, a senior organization representative and the IAC management Developed the material

IAC management Distributed the material

Develop layout and final content of the letters, brochures and flyers to be sent to older adults and e-mails to be sent to community care providers

Develop the script for a video (video B) for other community care providers. The video is inserted as a QR code in the e-mails.

The IAC management participates as a spokesman in this video, using the local language and dialect (Swiss German).

Disseminates relevant informational material according to protocol:

- Community care providers: e-mails

- Older adults: letters, brochures & sent by post to their homes

- Older adults: flyers delivered in their homes & also through care organizations (e.g., meals on wheels)

Inform older adults & community care providers about the IAC; engage community care providers to collaborate in the referral of older adults to the IAC.

Implementation phase

One letter & brochure/flyer per older adult before and after the opening of the IAC.

One e-mail per community care provider before and after the opening of the IAC.

Research has shown that informing and training members of the public can increase their involvement [37].

Use mass media

IAC management

- Publishes articles in the local newspaper to announce the opening date & services of the IAC.

- Publishes the contact details of the IAC in the local newspaper.

- Gives at least one interview in local radio.

Inform older adults & improve contact with the IAC.

Implementation phase

Ten articles & 34 biweekly announcements

Research has shown that most populations become aware of new interventions through mass media [38].

Facilitation

A member of the research team

Supports the IAC management to recognize the importance of engaging community care providers in the referral process of the target population.

Increases front-line engagement of the IAC management.

Implementation phase

As required

Leadership in healthcare is challenging and appropriate training is recommended [39].