Skip to main content

Table 4 Areas of exploration for key informant interviews

From: Implementation of the epilepsy center of excellence to improve access to and quality of care – protocol for a mixed methods study

Area of exploration

Specific information sought

Sample questions

Type of epilepsy care

Type of epilepsy care provided by the facility

What changes to the type of care you provide have you noticed since ECOE initiative?

Organization of care

Clinical work flow at the site, e.g., in the epilepsy clinic, neurology clinic (for Spoke facilities without epileptologist), or ECOE

What is the structure of the epilepsy care team? How has that changed since ECOE initiative? How have the roles of individuals on the epilepsy care team changed since ECOE initiative?

Referral

Formal policies

Describe any formal changes that have been implemented since the ECOE initiative, including clinical pathways.

 

Clinical work flow and communication involved in referrals

How are Spoke-to-Hub Referrals handled? Who initiates communication from the spoke? Who receives communication at the Hub?

  

How are Hub to Hub Referrals handled?

 

Satisfaction with referral processes

How satisfied are you with the current referral processes and why?

Use of technology

How is information technology (IT) being used to manage clinical work flow?

Describe strategies that have been developed to enhance access to epilepsy specialty care.

  

Describe strategies that have been developed to improve the quality of epilepsy care for Veterans.

  

Do you have plans to incorporate new IT tools/ modify existing tools to manage clinical work flow/ referral?

Educational approach

Types of education being offered at the ECOE

Describe the educational mission with regard to teaching fellows.

  

Describe approach for educational outreach.

General impact of ECOE initiative

Most salient changes from the perspective of clinicians/administrators

Describe the most important changes that have resulted from the ECOE care structure.

 

Barriers/facilitators

Describe any barriers you have encountered.

 

Other unexpected changes

Describe any other unexpected changes or consequences you have experienced.

Other changes

Other changes in the field unrelated to the ECOE initiative

Describe any changes in the field of epilepsy care that you believe may have an influence on the quality of epilepsy care or access to epilepsy care within or outside the VA.