An implementation study of two evidence-based exercise and health education programmes for older adults with osteoarthritis of the knee and hip.

Implementation studies are recommended to assess the feasibility and effectiveness in real-life of programmes which have been tested in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We report on an implementation study of two evidence-based exercise and health education programmes for older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip. Three types of primary health-care providers (n = 18) delivered the OA Knee programme (n = 20) and the OA Hip programme (n = 20), supported by programme manuals and implementation guidelines, in four regions. The outcome measures were pain and mobility. The Knee programme had OA knowledge and self-efficacy as additional outcome measures. Differences in outcome measures and background variables of participants were assessed between the RCTs and the implementation study. Positive effects (P < 0.05) were found for OA knowledge, pain and self-efficacy in the Knee programme (n = 157), and for pain in the Hip programme (n = 132). No effect was found for mobility. Effect sizes of the RCTs and the present study were comparable. Background variables did not explain the variance in the outcome measures. The outcomes of the previous RCTs and the implementation study were comparable, and indicated the ecological validity of the two programmes. The implications for nationwide dissemination and implementation in The Netherlands are discussed.

Women's interest in GP-initiated pre-conception counselling in The Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Pre-conception counselling has the potential to reduce pregnancy complications and congenital disorders. The timing of counselling, before conception, is crucial to maximize the benefit. As many couples are unaware of their risk status and the fact that the first period of pregnancy is crucial, they do not seek information before pregnancy occurs. To reach couples with timely information, it seems that a health care worker needs to take the initiative. In The Netherlands, the GP is in an ideal position to offer pre-conception counselling. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the interest of women aged 18-40 in pre-conception counselling if this is offered to them by their own GP. METHOD: A cohort of women (n = 1206) received a personal letter from their own GP with an offer of pre-conception counselling. The women were requested to fill in a reply form, indicating if they were interested, might be interested (if they decided to become pregnant) or were not interested in an invitation for pre-conception counselling. When interested, they were asked to give an indication as to when they were planning a pregnancy. Women who were not interested were requested to give a reason. RESULTS: Almost 70% of the women returned the reply form. Up to the age of 29 years, at least 80% of the respondents were interested or might be interested should they decide to have children. Most women, especially the younger women, do not know exactly when they wish to become pregnant. Regardless of age, >70% of the respondents were interested. Only 11% of the respondents indicated specifically that they were not interested in advice. CONCLUSION: Women are interested in GP-initiated pre-conception counselling. Further research is needed to assess the effect of programmed and systematic pre-conception counselling, offered by GPs, on pregnancy outcome and the health of the children. A randomized controlled trial to assess these effects currently is being conducted at the Department of General Practice in Leiden.