Needs Assessment for Primary Care for Best Practice Implementation: The CIRCE Joint Action

Abstract Introduction CIRCE is a Joint Action (JA) supporting the transfer of six best practices (BPs) to new primary care settings in Europe. High-quality needs assessment can set the foundation for strong planning and implementation of the CIRCE-JA best practices in these new primary care settings. Methods A needs assessment tool was developed based on the TO-REACH knowledge transfer framework and learnings from a scoping review of international knowledge transfer frameworks. The needs assessment provides structured tool for local sites to self-assess the alignment of the BP with local priorities, readiness of the local site to successfully implement the BP, the availability of necessary leadership, resources and partnerships, and an examination of barriers to local BP implementation and mitigation strategies. Results Twenty-six CIRCE-JA teams completed the needs assessments. Local teams identified the CIRCE-JA BPs were value-adding and aligned with local priorities. Cross-cutting barriers were identified which were common among the six CIRCE-JA best practices across five thematic areas: (1) provider level, (2) intervention level, (3) health system/policy level, (4) partnership and physical resources and (5) information technology. The needs assessment supported primary care sites with a structured approach to planning for transfer of BPs to their local setting that is based on established international best practices and knowledge transfer frameworks including early identification of barriers and mitigating strategies. Conclusions The needs assessment has supported teams with conducting a self-assessment and informing initial planning for adoption of the BP in their local primary care practice. Given the importance of the local needs assessment to high quality implementation of BP the CIRCE-JA experience with local needs assessment may provide learnings for future BP transfer initiatives. Key messages • Local needs assessment supports the transfer of best practices to primary care settings, which is a critical component of service transformation during the post-COVID-19 period. • For successful transfer of best practices in primary care, it is vital to give to examine such as provider capacity, available human resources, health policy, and information technology.