Healthcare leaders, middle managers, and frontline professionals are invited to join because the principal investigator (PI) believes that they have valuable knowledge, diverse perspectives, insights, and opinions about the healthcare delivery system. Invitees have unique backgrounds and professional experiences that can offer a distinct angle or perspective that could enrich the research and contribute to understanding the research subject matter. Each actor provides a unique vantage point on leadership style, organizational processes, challenges, and opportunities when implementing evidence-based guidelines (EBGs). Healthcare leaders play a crucial role in decision-making, policy formulation, and resource allocation and aid in contributing to evidence-based decision-making (EBDM), influencing strategic directions, and improving overall healthcare management. Middle managers typically are responsible for translating evidence-based strategies into day-to-day operations. They can provide insight into how policies and strategies are implemented at the operational level and identify potential barriers and challenges. Frontline healthcare professionals (HCPs), such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare providers, are responsible for having direct interactions and experiences with sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Invitees can provide insight that is invaluable for understanding the challenges and successes at the point of care, as well as identifying opportunities for improving the delivery of EB care and services. Involving healthcare leaders, middle managers, and frontline professionals in this applied doctoral research project will help ensure a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of implementing evidence-based guidelines (EBGs) for SCD patients in a complex healthcare environment. The involvement of leaders, middle managers, and frontline professionals is critical. Your participation can help the PI (researcher) understand factors related to healthcare organizations and their leaders to implement and adopt EBGs successfully. Invitees’ insights help ensure a comprehensive understanding of a complex healthcare subject matter. Your insights contribute to evidence-based decision-making, policy development, and the improvement of healthcare delivery systems.

The purpose of this qualitative, single case study is to thoroughly explore a particular healthcare phenomenon in its real-life context. This research project is particularly interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities and intricacies of implementing evidence-based guidelines for sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in clinical settings. The case study will investigate various aspects of leadership styles and actions in a healthcare delivery organization that are essential to strategically and successfully implementing and adopting EBGs. This case study will offer a holistic perspective by investigating multiple aspects of the phenomenon, such as leadership styles and actions, organizational structure and influences, and historical factors, to provide a comprehensive view of the subject matter.

When investigating healthcare leaders’ implementation of evidence-based guidelines for sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, the researcher seeks to understand how adopting and implementing EBGs affect patient care, outcomes, resource utilization, and costs. The investigation will explore healthcare leadership styles and actions, strategies, implementation effectiveness, barriers and challenges, healthcare processes, communication, training, and support mechanisms. By addressing these aspects, the researcher aims to contribute insights that can inform healthcare policies, practices, and leadership strategies for enhancing the implementation of evidence-based guidelines in the context of sickle cell care.

The expected potential risk from participating in this research study is minimal, which means that the risks are equal to the same risks participants would encounter in everyday life.

If any participant chooses to discontinue participation or withdraw from the study, they may contact the researcher at 702.338.0942 or email prusswilliams@liberty.edu.

The researcher believes the total time involved for each participant should be no more than 10.75 hours of direct participation and 6-9 hours of review work for a total of 16.75 - 20 hours over 12 weeks.

For questions about the study, your rights and responsibilities, or financial costs, invitees should contact the principal investigator (PI). The PI is the lead researcher responsible for the overall design, conduct, and management of this research study. The principal investigator (lead researcher) is a doctoral candidate conducting an applied doctoral research (capstone) project in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration at Liberty University Online, School of Business. The PI can be contacted for inquiries about the study’s objectives, design, and overall progress. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an independent ethics review committee that ensures the protection of research participants. If you have concerns or any questions about the ethical aspects of the research project, your rights as a participant, or if you want to report any issues, you are encouraged to contact the IRB. The IRB physical address is Institutional Review Board, 1971 University Blvd., Green Hall Ste. 2845, Lynchburg, VA, 24515; the phone number is 434-592-5530, and the email address is irb@liberty.edu. There are no direct benefits or financial costs for taking part in this research study, and it is funded totally by the PI (or doctoral candidate).For any additional questions or specific inquiries, don’t hesitate to contact Peggy directly via the website’s contact information

As a participant in this applied doctoral research project (ADRP), privacy is a critical aspect of research ethics, and participants in this study can generally expect a reasonable level of privacy and confidentiality. The informed consent document outlines the extent to which participants’ information will be used, who will have access to it, and how confidentiality will be maintained. The PI will take steps to ensure the confidentiality of participants’ information and individual responses to questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups. Participants’ contributions will be respected and kept confidential, and participants will be assigned unique identifiers to participants rather than using participants’ names. The PI will implement measures aimed at preventing unauthorized access to participant data and protecting participants from having their individual responses or information disclosed. Personally identifiable information will be removed or de-identified from the dataset to further protect participants’ privacy and confidentially. The PI will employ secure data storage and transmission methods that safeguard participant data. This includes using encryption, password protection, and other measures to prevent data breaches or unauthorized access. Access to participant data is restricted to the PI, the research chair, and the researcher’s dissertation committee. The PI’s applied doctoral research project underwent approval by Liberty University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to the start of the research study. The ADRP is governed by the IRB, which plays a crucial role in ensuring that this research study adheres to ethical standards, including privacy protection. The PI follows various laws and regulations that govern research ethics and privacy for participants, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPPA) in the United States for healthcare-related research.

After completion of the applied doctoral research project, several post-study activities will take place. The applied doctoral research study, as a capstone project, is intended for educational purposes to allow this doctoral candidate to demonstrate the ability to conduct and present meaningful doctoral-level research. This ADRP is limited to a single case study related to the candidate’s cognate and is not intended to be relatable or generalizable to a larger population. The study is compiled in a qualitative dissertation report summarizing the study’s methodology, results, application to professional practice, conclusion, and implications for change. The qualitative dissertation final report is not intended for publication in scientific journals, presentations at conferences, or other dissemination channels. The principal investigator (PI), a doctoral candidate, will conduct a debriefing session with the research participants and the dissertation committee to discuss the study’s outcomes, challenges faced, and lessons learned. The final qualitative dissertation will be uploaded to the Global Database, and the PI’s research website will remain perpetually dormant. These steps are conducted with the utmost consideration for ethical standards, participant confidentiality, and compliance with any relevant regulations. Research participants’ privacy and rights remain a priority throughout the post-study activities.