IMPLEMENTATION AND PROCESS EVALUATION OF THE ENERGETIC STUDY

Background: ‘Energetic’ is a self-management group programme aimed at improving social participation, physical endurance and alleviating fatigue in patients with a neuromuscular disease. Currently a randomised controlled... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
‘Energetic’ is a self-management group programme aimed at improving social participation, physical endurance and alleviating fatigue in patients with a neuromuscular disease. Currently a randomised controlled trial is conducted out to evaluate the effectiveness of the Energetic program. The programme is implemented in three different settings: a rehabilitation department of a university hospital, a regional rehabilitation and a community health centre. A mixed method research design evaluates the implementation of the programme in these settings from the both patients and the professionals perspective.
Method:
Participating patients completed an evaluation form with numeric rating scales for the different modules of the programme, the organisation, the trainers and the results. The patients also participated in an individual semi- structured interview or focus group to evaluate facilitators and barriers related to the programme, trainers and organisation. In addition semi structured interviews were performed with all stakeholders. Protocol adherence by therapists was monitored by using a logbook, booster sessions and by organising process evaluation for the therapists .
Results/Conclusion:
From the patients perspective four themes emerged from the data analyses “Your life is changed after Energetic”, “The program was useful”, “Praise for the trainers” and “The organisation should be better”.
In January 2016 we expect the results of the data analyses from the professionals’ perspective.
Application to Practice:
The implementation evaluation allows us to assess barriers and facilitators for implementation of the Energetic programme in different settings, which will help future dissemination.