Bone Abstracts

Objectives: To identify and determine the extent to which effective/ineffective steps in the implementation of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Healthy Bones Model of Care were perceived by physician champions and Healthy Bones Care Managers.

Methods: The subjects in the study included 20 Physician Champions and 35 Healthy Bones Care Managers employed in the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Healthy Bones Model of Care.25 have been employed in their current role since the implementation of the program. Of those, 16 agreed to participate. The instrument for interviewing was an email interview.

Results: Each participant was asked to respond to a set of nine standard questions. Examination of qualitative data resulted in eight major findings. As a result ten best practices for creating change efforts when implementing Disease Management Programs emerged.

1. Relentlessly informing, advocating, and networking.

2. Balancing the merits of consistency gained by centralized control, with the merits of creativity and innovation, guided by autonomous flexibility.

3. Creating strong multi-disciplinary champions.

4. Providing hands-on monitoring and management of change.

5. Creating inclusive feedback systems.

6. Leveraging external forces and available data to support change.

7. Rewarding meritorious or noteworthy behaviors, innovations, and ideas.

8. Personalizing interactions with potential change agents.

9. Providing adequate resources and administrative support.

10. Providing adequate short-term plans and goals.

Conclusions: This study utilized e-mail-based interviews to assess perceptions of the participants who were involved in the implementation of the Healthy Bones Program. These steps will greatly increase the likelihood of success and long-lasting sustainability of a Disease Management Program. The results of the study also support effective guides for healthcare reform initiatives at the national, corporate, and medical center levels. Proponents of improvements to any healthcare system can use recommendations from this study to remove obstacles and barriers to change and foster supportive participation from involved health care professionals.

Disclosure: The authors declared no competing interests.