Experiences of implementing the ‘Making Every Contact Count’ initiative into a UK integrated care system: an interview study

Background:
The ‘Making Every Contact Count’ (MECC) approach is in-line with the current NHS strategy to improve and prevent health conditions in England. Despite its importance and value for preventative healthcare, implementation of MECC varies. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators of implementing MECC and MECC training into an Integrated Care Service (ICS).
Methods:
Remote semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff across an ICS in the North West of England who were involved in implementing and delivering MECC across the region. Data was analysed initially using an inductive thematic analysis approach, and then interpreted using the COM-B model of behaviour change.
Results:
We interviewed nine stakeholders and identified three superordinate themes 1) Macro-level barriers and facilitators, e.g., funding; 2) Organisational level barriers and facilitators, e.g., time and resource; 3) Individual level barriers/ facilitators for both MECC trainers and MECC agents.
Conclusion:
MECC has potential to meet the needs of the public’s health, but barriers to its implementation exist. MECC must be successfully embedded into organisations and regions in which it is implemented, which relies on further development of an appropriate infrastructure including sustainable funding and a shift in culture to value preventative healthcare.