Journal Article

Implementation lessons learned from the University of California’s Diabetes Prevention Program Initiative

Shedd, Kelly, Soetenga, Samantha, Jackson, Nicholas J., Mangione, Carol M., Loeb, Tamra Burns, Chung, Un Young Rebecca, Gholami, Maryam, Duru, O. Kenrik, Ramm, Kate, Hamilton, Alison B., Moin, Tannaz, Bhagat, Meera

2024

Overview

Background The University of California’s Diabetes Prevention Program (UC DPP) Initiative was implemented systemwide to address diabetes and obesity risk on all 10 campuses. As little is known about implementing lifestyle change programs in university settings, we examined implementation partners’ (i.e., UC DPP leaders and campus leads) perceptions of factors influencing program success on UC campuses. Methods We conducted qualitative interviews with UC DPP leaders and campus leads to examine challenges and opportunities with university-based DPP delivery models. Interviews were recorded, professionally transcribed, and reviewed in detail by the research team. Transcripts were analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis (RQA). The study was approved by the UCLA Institutional Review Board. All implementation partners provided verbal informed consent. Results Twenty-six implementation partners (8 UC DPP leaders and 18 campus leads) completed interviews in 2021. Seven themes were identified as critical for implementation, including (1) marketing and recruitment (i.e., market and recruit broadly through established channels as well as target at-risk populations); (2) enrollment (i.e., offer the program during convenient times and let participants know what to expect); (3) use an adaptable, evidence-based program; (4) secure funding for the program, participants, lifestyle coaches, and space; (5) hire experienced and dedicated staff and lifestyle coaches; (6) ensure leadership support; and (7) utilize campus linkages and resources. Perceptions of challenges faced with respect to these themes are also described. Conclusions This is one of the first studies to examine the challenges and opportunities of delivering an intensive lifestyle change program across 10 university sites. Understanding factors that enhance success of university-based diabetes prevention programs can facilitate UC DPP efforts and help inform delivery strategies of health and wellness programs across other university settings more broadly.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: At risk populations / Biostatistics / California / College campuses / Colleges & universities / Communication / Diabetes / Diabetes mellitus / Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - prevention & control / Diabetes prevention program / Disease control / Employees / Environmental Health / Epidemiology / Factors influencing success / Health promotion / Health Promotion - methods / Health Promotion - organization & administration / Humans / Implementation partners / Informed consent / Interviews / Interviews as Topic / Leadership / Lifestyles / Marketing / Medical research / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Medicine, Experimental / Methods / Obesity - prevention & control / Prevention / Prevention programs / Program Development / Program Evaluation / Public Health / Qualitative analysis / Qualitative Research / Research methodology / Review boards / Students / Success / Underserved populations / Universities / University-based / Vaccine / Wellness programs