Implementing nurse-initiated and managed antiretroviral treatment (NIMART) in South Africa: a qualitative process evaluation of the STRETCH trial.
BACKGROUND
Task-shifting is promoted widely as a mechanism for expanding antiretroviral treatment (ART) access. However, the evidence for nurse-initiated and managed ART (NIMART) in Africa is limited, and little is known about the key barriers and enablers to implementing NIMART programmes on a large scale. The STRETCH (Streamlining Tasks and Roles to Expand Treatment and Care for HIV) programme was a complex educational and organisational intervention implemented in the Free State Province of South Africa to enable nurses providing primary HIV/AIDS care to expand their roles and include aspects of care and treatment usually provided by physicians. STRETCH used a phased implementation approach and ART treatment guidelines tailored specifically to nurses. The effects of STRETCH on pre-ART mortality, ART provision, and the quality of HIV/ART care were evaluated through a randomised controlled trial. This study was conducted alongside the trial to develop a contextualised understanding of factors affecting the implementation of the programme.


METHODS
This study was a qualitative process evaluation using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with patients, health workers, health managers, and other key informants as well as observation in clinics. Research questions focused on perceptions of STRETCH, changes in health provider roles, attitudes and patient relationships, and impact of the implementation context on trial outcomes. Data were analysed collaboratively by the research team using thematic analysis.


RESULTS
NIMART appears to be highly acceptable among nurses, patients, and physicians. Managers and nurses expressed confidence in their ability to deliver ART successfully. This confidence developed slowly and unevenly, through a phased and well-supported approach that guided nurses through training, re-prescription, and initiation. The research also shows that NIMART changes the working and referral relationships between health staff, demands significant training and support, and faces workload and capacity constraints, and logistical and infrastructural challenges.


CONCLUSIONS
Large-scale NIMART appears to be feasible and acceptable in the primary level public sector health services in South Africa. Successful implementation requires a comprehensive approach with: an incremental and well supported approach to implementation; clinical guidelines tailored to nurses; and significant health services reorganisation to accommodate the knock-on effects of shifts in practice.
Knowledge Translation Unit, University of Cape Town Lung Institute, University of Cape Town, George Street, Mowbray 7700, Cape Town, South Africa. Daniella.Georgeu@uct.ac.za
Daniella
D
Georgeu
Christopher J
CJ
Colvin
Simon
S
Lewin
Lara
L
Fairall
Max O
MO
Bachmann
Kerry
K
Uebel
Merrick
M
Zwarenstein
Beverly
B
Draper
Eric D
ED
Bateman
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing*; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses'; D011320:Primary Health Care; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013019:South Africa; D016526:Workload
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents