Achieving a sustainable future: screening organizational readiness for health interventions

Abstract Background Companies increasingly allocate resources to promote health and sustainable employability (SE) of employees. In practice, the effectiveness of these interventions is reduced by factors on meso and micro levels, leading to failed implementation (https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-23050). This study aimed to develop and test a tool for screening and optimizing organizational readiness for innovative health interventions. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation (CFIR) was used as a framework. Methods A scoping review was used to find evidence about factors that influence the implementation process of interventions. The taxonomy was enriched by conducting 12 semi-structured interviews with 3 groups of stakeholders: (HR) managers, employees and experts. A face validity test was carried out using the think-aloud method to evaluate the relevance and user-friendliness of the developed tool. Results Barriers and facilitators found in the review and interviews were classified into the CFIR domains and appeared to interact dynamically. Factors such as relative advantage, tailor-made design, low complexity, anticipated cost reductions and alignment with legislation occurred as facilitators. Support from high- and mid-level leaders, available resources, and alignment with organization's mission emerged as critical conditions for sustainable implementation. Organizational structure and culture can be both facilitator and barrier. Prevailing power dimensions and the capabilities of innovation recipients appear to play a role as well. The screening tool was developed and evaluated positively and as being low threshold by end-users. Conclusions A tool for screening and increasing organizational readiness for implementing health interventions was developed systematically and evaluated positively. This instrument could be used by organizations who aim to implement innovative and possibly disruptive interventions to increase their employees’ health and SE. Key messages • In practice, health and SE interventions are not effective due to failed implementation and the fact that they are too innovative or disruptive. • A tool for screening and increasing organizational readiness for implementation of health and SE interventions was developed systematically and tested positively.