Lithuania, Romania and Luxemburg regions are carrying out several activities in order to implement CARDIO 50 good practice in their health systems. As part of this implementation process, each region has analysed their current situation or system context through the SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats).

This analytical method is used to identify and categorize significant internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external (opportunities and threats) factors. SWOT analysis has enabled to highlight the characteristics, relationships and synergies between the factors and has helped the organizations to determine their priorities in relation with CARDIO 50 implementation.

Regions have identified as internal positive factors the know-how in the field of cardiovascular disease prevention, the experience and expertise of their staff (health professionals and IT technicians), and the available funding for implementing CARDIO 50. Pilot sites found as barriers not having a database to be able to send a direct invitation to the participants or difficulties for using technologies were highlighted as internal negative factors.

 

Creating and boosting relationships with other organizations and national projects focused on cardiovascular disease prevention related to Young50 are considered as external positive factors. Communication and dissemination activities to raise general public awareness and to increase the knowledge of the population on prevention matters were mentioned as well. External negative factors included the lack of interest of the 50-year-old population in participating in the program and the overload of health professionals. These barriers could hinder their involvement in the screening and educational activities for cardio-vascular risk prevention.

 

The SWOT analysis has allowed to develop a strategic planning in each site to facilitate the CARDIO 50 implementation process locally.