To what extent are guidelines used in spasticity clinics? A qualitative study of facilitators and barriers to spasticity guideline implementation.

Objective: To determine the common understanding of focal muscle spasticity guidelines amongst clinicians working in spasticity clinics. To examine the facilitators and barriers to their implementation as well as their influence on clinic processes.

Design: A qualitative study based on a phenomenological approach.

Setting: Online videoconferencing platform.

Participants: Sixteen experienced multi-disciplinary clinicians providing specialised care across 12 spasticity clinics in Victoria, Australia.

Intervention: Observational.

Main measures: Two independent reviewers performed line by line coding of transcripts. Reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken with themes/subthemes inductively derived.

Results: Seven key themes emerged. First, knowledge of specific guideline recommendations was low amongst some clinicians. Second, there is a lack of health service resources to support guideline implementation. Third, a limited evidence base for guidelines affected clinicians' willingness to implement the recommendations. Fourth, peer support was highly valued but opportunities to collaborate were limited. Fifth, a large amount of intrinsic motivation and personal time was required from clinicians to successfully implement guideline recommendations. Sixth, the standardisation of clinic processes was one way in which clinicians felt they could better align their clinical practice to guidelines. Lastly, guidelines overall had a moderate influence on spasticity clinic processes.

Conclusions: Knowledge of recommendations varied but, overall, guidelines had an influence on clinic processes and staff perceptions across the state-wide services. Health service resources, limited evidence for guideline recommendations and time constraints were considered barriers to spasticity guideline implementation. Multi-disciplinary expertise and teamwork, the individual's motivation to change and inter-clinic collaboration were considered to be the facilitators.