Table 1 Educational outreach visit protocol

Planning the visit

Contact the target population by email, phone, or in person

Negotiate a convenient time and location for the visit

Reconfirm arrangements prior to the visit

Discuss with the research team any recruitment difficulties

Setting the scene

Ensure appropriate space for the discussion

Engage in small talk to place the participant at ease

Explain the purpose of the visit

Negotiate the session length (approximately 20 minutes)

Introduce the four key messages and identify participants specific needs

Building trust, credibility and likability

Mention the key opinion leaders in support of the project

List the project’s academic and clinical affiliations

Highlight your own clinical expertise in the area

Attempt to uncover personal similarities between participant and yourself

Offer genuine praise where appropriate

Promoting two-sided communication

Ask open ended questions

Use minimal encouragement techniques

Paraphrase and reflect on the participants comments

Anticipate and acknowledge controversial issues

Overcome any objections and handle challenging responses

Delivering key message(s)

VTE is an important healthcare issue

Assess individual patient risk

Provide evidence-based VTE prophylaxis and patient education

Monitor and reassess each patient during their hospital stay

Wrapping up

Reflect on the discussion

Reiterate the key message(s) discussed

Give the participant the printed resource material to keep

Gain commitment to provide evidence-based prophylaxis

Providing follow-up

Follow-up via email, phone, or in person

Fulfil any commitments made during the visit