Table 1 Descriptions of the facilitated and passive knowledge translation interventions

Personnel

There was funding for two facilitators (one nurse and one therapist).

None

Frequency and duration

4 h/week/facilitator in each intervention site to promote guideline implementation over a 16-month period

Not applicable

Components

At a two-day workshop: facilitators received change management education, a practice-change toolkit, information on successful guideline implementation strategies from the pilot study, slide presentations, and clinician-targeted media releases for marketing SCORE. They also completed training to apply treatments, compared current practice with recommended practice, identified barriers to practice change, developed a guideline implementation plan addressing barriers and incorporating behaviour change strategies, and learned how to conduct small group education/training sessions.

In addition, stroke teams received SCORE guideline booklets with treatment recommendations and evidence-based treatment protocols, pocket reminder cards, and posters describing protocols designed for therapists or nurses. Teleconferences and a web-based platform were provided for facilitators to communicate and share successful strategies.

Sites in the passive KT intervention received a version of the SCORE guideline without treatment protocols, and a handbook and educational DVD on the use of standardized assessment tools post-stroke.

In addition, clinicians were invited by email to participate in a list serve to obtain additional information or share experiences about the trial outcome measures.

Research team involvement

The research team provided external facilitation to the facilitators; specifically, advice and support via teleconferences.

None