title: Implementing care programmes for frail older people: a project management perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the issues that influenced the implementation of programmes designed to identify and support frail older people in the community in the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative research methods were used to investigate the perspectives of project leaders, project members and members of the steering committee responsible for the implementation of the programmes. Interviews were conducted in 2009 (n = 10) and in 2012 (n = 13) and a focus group was organised in 2012 (n = 5).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The interviews revealed that the implementation was influenced by the extent and quality of collaboration between organisations, adaptation to existing structures, future funding for the programmes and project leadership. A good relationship between participating organisations and professionals is required for successful implementation. A lack of clear project leadership and structural funding hampers the implementation of complex programmes in primary care settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study are useful for organisations and professionals who are planning to implement complex programmes. Identifying barriers concerning institutional collaboration, adaptation to existing structures, leadership and continuation of financial support at an early stage of the implementation process can support practitioners in overcoming them.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, Maastricht MD, The Netherlands. Electronic address: j.bindels@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bindels
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, Maastricht MD, The Netherlands; Fontys University of Applied Sciences, School of Nursing, P.O. Box 347, 5600, Eindhoven AH, The Netherlands. Electronic address: k.cox@fontys.nl.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Humanities, EMGO Institute for Health and Care research, Vu University Medical Centre, Van der Boeschorststraat 7, 1007, Amsterdam MB, The Netherlands. Electronic address: t.abma@vumc.nl.
authors.forename: Tineke A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Abma
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University. P.O. Box 616, 6200, Maastricht MD, The Netherlands. Electronic address: onno.vanschayck@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Onno C P
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: van Schayck
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Humanities, EMGO Institute for Health and Care research, Vu University Medical Centre, Van der Boeschorststraat 7, 1007, Amsterdam MB, The Netherlands. Electronic address: g.widdershoven@vumc.nl.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Widdershoven
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D017144:Focus Groups; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016730:Program Development; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Care for older people; Frailty; Implementation; Management; Qualitative research