title: Implementing a standardized community-based cardiovascular risk assessment program in 20 Ontario communities.
abstract: The aim of the study is to describe the implementation of the Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) in 20 mid-sized communities across Ontario, Canada, and identify key factors in the successful multi-site delivery of a collaborative cardiovascular risk assessment and management program. Lead organizations were identified and contracted following a request for proposals. An Implementation Guide detailed steps in community mobilization and delivery of volunteer-led pharmacy-based cardiovascular risk assessment sessions. Process data were collected through final reports; a debriefing meeting; and interviews with program staff. All 20 communities successfully implemented CHAP. Overall, 99% (338/341) of family physicians agreed to receive assessment results and 89% (129/145) of pharmacies held sessions. Five hundred and seventy-seven volunteers conducted 27,358 risk assessments for 15,889 unique participants. Essential program components were consistently included, however, variations in materials, processes and support occurred. Factors in program success included: local expertise, centralized support, identification and engagement of local physician and pharmacist opinion leaders and a balance of standardization and flexibility. Monitoring delivery of a multi-community cardiovascular risk assessment program yielded key factors in program success to inform development of a sustainable and transferable model.
authors.affiliation: Elisabeth Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. mcart037@uottawa.ca
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karwalajtys
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaczorowski
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dolovich
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gierman
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laryea
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003256:Community Participation / Q000379:methods*; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D009864:Ontario; D010821:Physicians, Family; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014838:Volunteers / Q000458:organization & administration