title: Diffusion of a collaborative care model in primary care: a longitudinal qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although collaborative team models (CTM) improve care processes and health outcomes, their diffusion poses challenges related to difficulties in securing their adoption by primary care clinicians (PCPs). The objectives of this study are to understand: (1) how the perceived characteristics of a CTM influenced clinicians' decision to adopt -or not- the model; and (2) the model's diffusion process.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a longitudinal case study based on the Diffusion of Innovations Theory. First, diffusion curves were developed for all 175 PCPs and 59 nurses practicing in one borough of Paris. Second, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a representative sample of 40 PCPs and 15 nurses to better understand the implementation dynamics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diffusion curves showed that 3.5 years after the start of the implementation, 100% of nurses and over 80% of PCPs had adopted the CTM. The dynamics of the CTM's diffusion were different between the PCPs and the nurses. The slopes of the two curves are also distinctly different. Among the nurses, the critical mass of adopters was attained faster, since they adopted the CTM earlier and more quickly than the PCPs. Results of the semi-structured interviews showed that these differences in diffusion dynamics were mostly founded in differences between the PCPs' and the nurses' perceptions of the CTM's compatibility with norms, values and practices and its relative advantage (impact on patient management and work practices). Opinion leaders played a key role in the diffusion of the CTM among PCPs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CTM diffusion is a social phenomenon that requires a major commitment by clinicians and a willingness to take risks; the role of opinion leaders is key. Paying attention to the notion of a critical mass of adopters is essential to developing implementation strategies that will accelerate the adoption process by clinicians.
authors.affiliation: Solidage, McGill University - Université de Montréal Research Group on Frailty and Aging - Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Côte Ste Catherine, Montreal, Québec, Canada. isabelle.vedel@mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vedel
authors.forename: Veronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ghadi
authors.forename: Matthieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Stampa
authors.forename: Christelle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Routelous
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ankri
authors.forename: Liette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lapointe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003662:Decision Theory; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007857:Leadership; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D010297:Paris; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013997:Time Factors