Enabling Responsive and Adaptive Implementation of Evidence-Based Health Policies by Assessing Implementation Readiness of Key Stakeholders

This presentation discussed a comprehensive mixed-methods research project designed to assess implementation readiness of key stakeholders for evidence-based health policies, specifically focusing on universal screening for adolescent depression in schools. The research involved multiple stakeholder groups including school administrators, health professionals, mental health advocacy organizations, and parents of adolescents. Through key-informant interviews, surveys, content analysis of legislative hearings and media coverage, and representative sampling, the study identified distinct concerns across stakeholder groups: school personnel worried about feasibility and resource needs, mental health professionals questioned screening instrument suitability and follow-up provisions, and parents expressed concerns about privacy, stigma, and cost implications. The research demonstrated how systematic assessment of stakeholder readiness can inform responsive policy revisions and facilitate more effective implementation of evidence-based public health guidelines. The findings showed that policy was incrementally revised based on stakeholder feedback, illustrating the value of proactive stakeholder engagement in the policy implementation process.