Cluster Randomized Trial of Knowledge Brokering to Integrate Mood and Smoking Cessation in Ontario Primary Care

The intervention is the tailored support received by a knowledge broker via technology in Group B. The rKB will: ensure relevant research evidence related to depression and smoking is transferred to the FHTs in ways that are most useful to them; develop capacity for evidence-informed decision-making at each site; and assist sites in translating evidence into local practice. These tasks will be accomplished by an initial 2-hour, virtual visit with each site and regular phone- and email-based check-ins. The specific tasks will be dictated by the needs of each site, and will create opportunity for practitioners to share their experiences with the rKB, learn new evidence, and work with the rKB on how to best implement the evidence.

When a patient is screened as showing depressive symptoms, the practitioner will be prompted to intervene and refer that patient to treatment. The practitioner will receive knowledge broker support to carry out these actions in the form of one email per month for one year. The first email will provide an electronic copy of a Cochrane review (describing the link between smoking and mood) and a short description of the integration of a depression ICP in the STOP portal. The STOP YouTube channel with detailed instructions on how to use the revised portal will be made available. Subsequent communications will be based on general needs identified at baseline and content discussed in the STOP Community of Practice (teleconferences, online forum between STOP practitioners).