Developing a program to enhance health professionals' readiness to evidence utilization in diabetes care: A mixed-methods protocol study

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic disorders in the world and because of high prevalence and incidence rate, it is a serious challenge posed to the health system in Iran. Despite extensive knowledge of the desirable care for these patients, evidence suggests that the quality of care provided to these patients is not desirable.

Objective: The aim is to develop a training program to enhance the preparation of health professionals for evidence utilization in providing comprehensive health cares to patients with diabetes.

Materials and methods: This is an exploratory mixed-method study using consecutive qualitative-quantitative methods that will be conducted in three phases using the approach proposed by Werner and DeSimone to design the program. In the first phase, a qualitative study will be conducted for context assessment and identification of the requirements to enhance evidence utilization taking into account the overall knowledge translation process using semi-structured interviews with policymakers and health professionals. In the second phase, a training program will be designed based on the data extracted from the first phase, experts' opinions, and review of the literature. In the third phase, the training program will be implemented, and its effectiveness on the readiness of multidisciplinary health professionals for evidence utilization will be evaluated.

Conclusion: The results of this study will provide a better understanding of how to identify and incorporate contextual factors and the real needs of health-care professionals and develop a program tailored to improving their readiness to use evidence. It can subsequently lead to providing quality care to patients with diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; evidence utilization; knowledge translation.

Figure 1

The phases of a mixed-method study