Table 6

The external facilitator role in a supportive relationship: potential activities/behaviors per QUERI experiences

Establishing and maintaining a supportive relationship:
     a) Maintains multiple means of contact and accessibility with the ICA.
     b) Provides rapid responses to ICA requests, as feasible.
     c) Provides reassurance and encouragement:
          i) Provides information on progress,
          ii) Provides cheerleading,
          iii) Provides psychological support, and
          iv) Enables peer-based social support.
     d) Empowers ICAs – sets the stage for them, gives them permission to do things on their own.
     e) Serves as a "nudge" and a source of external expectation for progress.
     f) Makes required actions quick and easy, when possible.
     g) Mentors and develops skills in the ICA, as needed:
          i) Shares knowledge,
          ii) Teaches skills,
          iii) Enables ICAs to solve their own problems, where feasible, and
          iv) Provides role feedback.

Stetler et al. Implementation Science 2006 1:23   doi:10.1186/1748-5908-1-23