Delivering an iterative Communication Partner Training programme to multidisciplinary healthcare professionals: A pilot implementation study and process evaluation.

An iteratively adapted CPT implementation intervention targeting healthcare professionals' use of supported communication strategies was feasible and acceptable for most participants. The implementation intervention was potentially effective in changing participants' communication with PWA, particularly for Group 2. Future CPT implementation efforts should continue to incorporate stakeholder input and tailor strategies to the organizational context, and measure whether outcomes are sustained in the long term. What this paper adds What is already known on the subject CPT is a complex intervention that can improve communication access and outcomes for PWA. However, there are barriers to both delivering CPT programmes to staff, and for staff in modifying their communication behaviours. Despite increasing efforts to improve CPT implementation, it remains largely unclear whether CPT implementation interventions are effective in improving interactions between staff and patients, and what elements of an implementation intervention result in changed behaviour. What this study adds to existing knowledge This study showed that adopting an iterative, barriers-focused approach to implementation facilitated practice change for one of the groups that participated in the programme. Incorporating stakeholder feedback in an ongoing way led to improvements in feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness, with several of the main barriers being effectively addressed by the intervention. Some key mechanisms of change were identified. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work It is necessary to develop active, targeted implementation strategies to support healthcare professionals to modify their communication, monitor implementation barriers as they arise and modify behaviour-change strategies accordingly. In a similar context, it is suggested that CPT implementation interventions should incorporate the use of audit feedback, physical resources and educational lectures paired with interactions with PWA in order to bring about change, with ongoing support and facilitation.