Table 5 Examples of the categories ‘Applicability of the interventions to other contexts and conditions for this’

5.1. Applicability of the interventions to other contexts

- Interventions are applicable, their application is recommended

“I find it such a delightful tool to use that it comes easily…getting other people enthusiastic about using it (…) you avoid all the [patient’s unnecessary] trips [to SC], you can even create meetings, not with the whole network, but with one or two practices, so the flexibility it offers (...), it sells itself (…) people start to join in quickly...” (Healthcare manager, Chile)

- They contribute to tackling a common problem in different settings

“Yes, of course, it’s very viable. Because we need this kind of strategy, for the impact it has and because that communication between the specialist doctor and the general doctor is necessary. That’s a common problem in all the networks and we all need to improve on patient care” (LSC, Colombia)

- They are aligned with/incorporated into local or national network policy

“(…) the fact that the project has reached Health Department level, and that they’ve incorporated these interventions and their basic structure [into the programming guidelines of the Health Department], means that others [other healthcare networks] can adopt them and put them into practice” (LSC, Chile)

- Benefits of replicating the PAR method

“Obviously they can be replicated in other spaces but the model to follow is participation.” (LSC, Chile)

5.2. Conditions for the applicability of the interventions to other contexts

- Interest of professionals and managers in improving care integration

“I think there is interest in other regions, other professionals wanting, wishing and not knowing how to take that approach [PAR]. But the manager has to facilitate it, the health departments [...]” (Healthcare professional, Brazil)

“(…) a bit of political will, it should be taken to other places and there should be the will to implement it, and [they should] always be stressing the importance of this, of coordination” (PP, Uruguay)

- Institutional support in the allocation of resources needed for implementation

“(…) giving the healthcare teams in primary care centres time to be able to attend and the technical capacity: computer, microphone, whatever they need. I think that the professionals would have no problem with acquiring more knowledge, especially from a specialist, especially if they’re going to help you coordinate things” (Healthcare professional, Chile)

“If they do another project at some stage, they should take into account the real resources they have. Improving resources of all kinds, I think that would help the projects to be more genuine” (PP, Uruguay)

- Respecting the basic elements of PAR when applying the method

“(...) discussing with people, with the managers, with the professionals. Follow the same process that you did here” (Healthcare professional, Brazil)

- Improve the design and implementation of offline virtual consultations and referral forms

“If you make them [offline virtual consultations] simpler, more direct, with clearer communication between the people you want to do them, the results will be seen more quickly and the system of consultation or interaction should work” (LSC, Mexico)

“It should be continued into the medium term, it should be included in the electronic medical records and it shouldn’t be on paper” (LSC, Uruguay)