Enablers and barriers implementing primary care interventions for Indigenous with chronic diseases: a systematic review

Implementation Science 2015, 10:71

Access to appropriate, affordable, acceptable and comprehensive primary health care (PHC) is critican for improving the health of Indigenous populations. This systematic literature review synthesised international evidence on the factors that enable or inhibit the implementation of interventions aimed at improving chronic disease care for Indigenous people.

• Twenty three studies were included.
• Five synthesised findings, related to issues within the design and planning phase of interventions, the chronic disease workforce, partnerships between service providers and patients, clinical care pathways and patient access to services.
• Three key features of enablers and barriers emerged from the findings: (1) they are not fixed concepts but can be positively or negatively influenced, (2) the degree to which the work of an intervention can influence an enabler or barrier varies depending on their source and (3) they are inter-related whereby a change in one may effect a change in another.