Promoting the implementation of clinical decision support systems in primary care: A qualitative exploration of implementing a Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)-guided decision support system in asthma consultations.

<h4>Background</h4>Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) can promote adherence to clinical guidelines and improve patient outcomes. Exploring implementation determinants during the development of CDSSs enables intervention optimisation to promote acceptability, perceived appropriaten...

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Main Authors: Kate Morton, Marta Santillo, Michelle Helena Van Velthoven, Lucy Yardley, Mike Thomas, Kay Wang, Ben Ainsworth, Sarah Tonkin-Crine
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317613
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author Kate Morton
Marta Santillo
Michelle Helena Van Velthoven
Lucy Yardley
Mike Thomas
Kay Wang
Ben Ainsworth
Sarah Tonkin-Crine
author_facet Kate Morton
Marta Santillo
Michelle Helena Van Velthoven
Lucy Yardley
Mike Thomas
Kay Wang
Ben Ainsworth
Sarah Tonkin-Crine
author_sort Kate Morton
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) can promote adherence to clinical guidelines and improve patient outcomes. Exploring implementation determinants during the development of CDSSs enables intervention optimisation to promote acceptability, perceived appropriateness and fidelity during subsequent implementation. This study sought to explore how clinicians perceive the use of a CDSS which makes recommendations for asthma management based on factors including Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide testing, and how CDSSs can be designed to promote their implementation.<h4>Methods</h4>Twenty-three interviews were conducted with clinicians to explore perceptions about the CDSS. Participants included asthma nurses, pharmacists, General Practitioners and respiratory nurse specialists involved in conducting asthma reviews in primary care. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.<h4>Results</h4>Three themes were developed: Appreciating the recommendations of the CDSS, whilst wanting to retain control; Doubt about appropriateness of CDSS recommendations, especially when you can't see how they were produced; and Potential for the CDSS to increase patients' trust and adherence to their treatment. Clinicians perceived the CDSS could help them prioritise management options and consider broader factors relating to patients' asthma symptoms, but it was important to be able to override the recommendation. Lack of transparency over how recommendations were generated and concern about appropriateness of recommendations for specific patients led to uncertainty about adhering to the CDSS. Clinically tailored recommendations were perceived to help reassure patients and/or to support their adherence to asthma management.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Even small changes to the content of CDSS recommendations, such as explaining how recommendations were generated and showing they are consistent with guidance, may help to overcome barriers to acceptability and perceived appropriateness for clinicians. Focusing on implementation during the development of CDSS interventions is worthwhile to help reduce the evidence-practice gap.
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spelling doaj-art-9a9d6ca52e1f410a894bb6eadc4c49062025-08-20T03:48:50ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01202e031761310.1371/journal.pone.0317613Promoting the implementation of clinical decision support systems in primary care: A qualitative exploration of implementing a Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)-guided decision support system in asthma consultations.Kate MortonMarta SantilloMichelle Helena Van VelthovenLucy YardleyMike ThomasKay WangBen AinsworthSarah Tonkin-Crine<h4>Background</h4>Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) can promote adherence to clinical guidelines and improve patient outcomes. Exploring implementation determinants during the development of CDSSs enables intervention optimisation to promote acceptability, perceived appropriateness and fidelity during subsequent implementation. This study sought to explore how clinicians perceive the use of a CDSS which makes recommendations for asthma management based on factors including Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide testing, and how CDSSs can be designed to promote their implementation.<h4>Methods</h4>Twenty-three interviews were conducted with clinicians to explore perceptions about the CDSS. Participants included asthma nurses, pharmacists, General Practitioners and respiratory nurse specialists involved in conducting asthma reviews in primary care. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.<h4>Results</h4>Three themes were developed: Appreciating the recommendations of the CDSS, whilst wanting to retain control; Doubt about appropriateness of CDSS recommendations, especially when you can't see how they were produced; and Potential for the CDSS to increase patients' trust and adherence to their treatment. Clinicians perceived the CDSS could help them prioritise management options and consider broader factors relating to patients' asthma symptoms, but it was important to be able to override the recommendation. Lack of transparency over how recommendations were generated and concern about appropriateness of recommendations for specific patients led to uncertainty about adhering to the CDSS. Clinically tailored recommendations were perceived to help reassure patients and/or to support their adherence to asthma management.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Even small changes to the content of CDSS recommendations, such as explaining how recommendations were generated and showing they are consistent with guidance, may help to overcome barriers to acceptability and perceived appropriateness for clinicians. Focusing on implementation during the development of CDSS interventions is worthwhile to help reduce the evidence-practice gap.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317613
spellingShingle Kate Morton
Marta Santillo
Michelle Helena Van Velthoven
Lucy Yardley
Mike Thomas
Kay Wang
Ben Ainsworth
Sarah Tonkin-Crine
Promoting the implementation of clinical decision support systems in primary care: A qualitative exploration of implementing a Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)-guided decision support system in asthma consultations.
PLoS ONE
title Promoting the implementation of clinical decision support systems in primary care: A qualitative exploration of implementing a Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)-guided decision support system in asthma consultations.
title_full Promoting the implementation of clinical decision support systems in primary care: A qualitative exploration of implementing a Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)-guided decision support system in asthma consultations.
title_fullStr Promoting the implementation of clinical decision support systems in primary care: A qualitative exploration of implementing a Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)-guided decision support system in asthma consultations.
title_full_unstemmed Promoting the implementation of clinical decision support systems in primary care: A qualitative exploration of implementing a Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)-guided decision support system in asthma consultations.
title_short Promoting the implementation of clinical decision support systems in primary care: A qualitative exploration of implementing a Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)-guided decision support system in asthma consultations.
title_sort promoting the implementation of clinical decision support systems in primary care a qualitative exploration of implementing a fractional exhaled nitric oxide feno guided decision support system in asthma consultations
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317613
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