Table 1 A description of implementation strategies and the total cost to deliver each from the perspective of health service providers and schools
Strategy description and cost components* | Total cost (average per school) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Health service provider (base case) | Schools | Overall | |
1. Centralise technical assistance and provide ongoing consultation/coaching: project officers employed by the Local Health District provide expertise, advice, and resources throughout the study period. Health service costs: labour (project officers) School costs: labour (classroom teachers) | $3406 ($110) | $1772 ($57) | $5178 ($167) |
2a. Mandate for change: 1 × initial meeting with school principal and school executives to communicate policy importance. Health service costs: labour (project officers) School costs: labour (principals) | $360 ($12) | $403 ($13) | $763 ($25) |
2b. Mandate for change: schools either develop a physical activity policy or review/amend an existing one. Health service costs: N/A School costs: labour (principals) | $0 ($0) | $3343 ($108) | $3343 ($108) |
3a. Identify champions: each school nominates 1–2 in-school champions. No costs (incorporated within strategy 2a)a | $0 ($0) | $0 ($0) | $0 ($0) |
3b. Prepare champions: 1 × full-day training session for nominated in-school champions. Health service costs: labour (project officers); materials; workshop expenses; travel and expenses School costs: N/A | $19,437 ($627) | $0 ($0) | $19,437 ($627) |
4. Develop a detailed implementation plan: in-school champions develop a plan for policy implementation in their school No costs (incorporated within strategy 3b)b | $0 ($0) | $0 ($0) | $0 ($0) |
5a. Conduct educational outreach visits: 1 × 1–2 h teacher information session and training delivered during school staff meeting. Health service costs: labour (project officers); travel and expenses School costs: labour (classroom teachers and principals) | $4992 ($161) | $26,118 ($843) | $31,110 ($1004) |
5b. Conduct educational outreach visits: if needed, 1 × 15 min follow-up teacher support session delivered during school staff meeting. Health service costs: labour (project officers); travel and expenses School costs: labour (classroom teachers and principals) | $1536 ($50) | $9839 ($317) | $11,375 ($367) |
6a. Develop and distribute educational materials: ISC receive an “intervention manual” inclusive of policy templates as well as physical activity timetable and PE curriculum examples. Health service costs: materials School costs: N/A | $60 ($2) | $0 ($0) | $60 ($2) |
6b. Develop and distribute educational materials: educational materials distributed to in-school champions and classroom teachers in print copy and accessible via an online portal. Health service costs: materials School costs: N/A | $2131 ($69) | $0 ($0) | $2131 ($69) |
7. Capture and share local knowledge: case studies from other schools available via an online portal. No costs (embedded within an existing online portal)c | $0 ($0) | $0 ($0) | $0 ($0) |
8a. Change/alter environment: each school provided with one physical activity pack (basic equipment). Health service costs: materials School costs: N/A | $3100 ($100) | $0 ($0) | $3100 ($100) |
8b. Change/alter environment: project officers encourage in-school champions encouraged to develop physical activity packs for each classroom using existing school sport equipment. Health service costs: labour (project officers) School costs: N/A | $671 ($22) | $0 ($0) | $671 ($22) |
Average cost per school | $1151 (95% UI $1046, $1236) | $1338 (95% UI $1048, $1663) | $2489 (95% UI $2130, $2832) |