"We could have used a lot more of this before…": A qualitative study understanding barriers and facilitators to implementing a provincial PPE safety coach program during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: A Provincial PPE Safety Coach Program was introduced to support appropriate use of personal protective equipment by health care workers. The objective was to understand barriers and facilitators to implementation.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted mid-2021. Participants were recruited using a purposive sampling strategy. Interviews were conducted using a guide informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Analysis was conducted using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Results: Prominent domains identified by staff were "social influences and skills", "environmental context and resources", "social/professional role and identity", "emotion", and "belief of consequences". Prominent domains identified by safety coaches were "knowledge", "social/professional role and identity", "environmental context and resources", and "memory". Only "environmental context and resources" and "social/professional role and identity" were similar. The main facilitators were fear of COVID-19 and leadership commitment, while the main barriers were lack of clarity and balancing the role.

Discussion: Understanding the local context of a health care environment influenced the success of safety coaches. The role allowed individuals to develop leadership skills and help staff improve their perceived competence in using personal protective equipment.

Conclusions: Safety coaches were well received. Influencing factors provide a basis for strategies to embed this approach throughout a health care system.