Evaluating Partnerships for Practice Change in the Prevention, Identification, and Treatment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

BACKGROUND: In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded a four-year partnership effort between university and health care professional associations (HCPAs) to reach health care providers (HCPs) nationally in six health disciplines and engage them to adopt evidence-based practices for the prevention, identification, and treatment of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). The aim of this project was to evaluate partnerships for their (1) structure and formation, (2) collaboration process, and (3) outcomes with regard to resources and strategies developed for FASD prevention and management. METHODS: We used quantitative and qualitative data from quarterly progress reports, a semi-annual collaboration survey, and annual interviews with each discipline’s members. RESULTS: Partnerships in each discipline varied in the number of members and organizations, expertise in the discipline, and access to HCPs. Assigned partnerships with limited researchers’ expertise in the discipline or the inability of HCPAs to reach priority audiences created challenges in the development and dissemination of resources. Two partnerships showed challenges in the collaboration process regarding understanding respective responsibilities, sharing similar ideas, and resolving disagreements despite efforts at facilitated discussion. Messaging and resource dissemination by HCPAs and the use of provider champions developed through HCPAs’ national network emerged as promising approaches to engage HCPs. CONCLUSION: Circumstances under which partnerships are formed can facilitate or challenge collaboration and outcome efforts. Discipline-specific partnerships between researchers and HCPAs provide a model for evidence-based resources to be developed and disseminated widely for adoption by HCPs in their practice.