Feasibility of the intervention
Feasibility is defined as the extent to which a new treatment or
innovation can be successfully implemented in a given agency or
setting.46 We assessed feasibility in terms of success
in participant recruitment, retention, and participation rates. We
reported earlier that we successfully recruited 60 of 62 eligible
patients and completed the intervention in 56 of the 60 enrolled. In
addition, we were able to complete all components of the intervention by
telephone or in person within the 12-month intervention window. We
examined associations between post-test measures and amount of contact
between patients and the TN, but only a few significant associations
were noted. Having more in-person visits (r=.32; p=.015) and having
fewer telephone contacts (r= -.38; p=.003) both were correlated with
higher post-test TRAQ appointment keeping scores, but contact time was
not associated with any other TRAQ subscales, SCD knowledge, or pain
management scores at post-test. As might be expected, more contact time
was required by those with less confidence in managing SCD (r= -.29;
p=.03) and those with higher disease frustration (r=.31; p=.02) and
medication barriers (r=.28; p=.04) scores on the AMBS.