Table 1 Summary of intervention design methods and key characteristics
No., author, year (label if given) | Method summary | Generic or specific (described) context | Level of change | Builds on other methods, tools yes/no (defined) | Barrier identification yes/no | Links barrier to components yes/no | Uses theory yes/no | Input from users yes/no |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Battles, 2006[18] (ADDIE method) | 1) Analysis: identify the target and needs, 2) Development: define behaviour, and learning outcomes and sequence, 3) Design: specify content and medium of prototype, 4) Implementation 5) Evaluation | Patient safety | Ind | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
2. Cabassa, 2001[23] | 1) Researchers/stakeholders review and modify intervention 2) Ensure acceptability (focus groups) 3) Modify intervention, plan implementation and training 4) Pilot for feasibility, acceptability, initial effects 5) Rigorous evaluation | Providers: case managers Setting: outpatient mental health Clinical condition: serious mental health and cardiovascular disease | Other | Yes (IM, Participatory Action methods) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
3. Chandler, 2014[30] | 1) Formative research (observations, interviews, focus groups) with targets 2) Review existing literature for behaviour change strategies and theories 3) Face to face workshop with researchers and experts to review results of first two steps and propose potential theory-based intervention strategies 4) Design intervention 5) Pilot and pre-test, and determine final intervention | Behaviour: use of malaria rapid diagnostic test and adherence to test results Provider: Tanzanian community health workers and nurses Setting: Tanzanian community; low resource settings Clinical condition: malaria | Ind | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
4. Clyne, 2013[24] | 1) Development: Literature review of empirical and theoretical evidence to inform potential intervention components. Organise influencing factors from the literature using a model of potential influencing factors (PRECEDE model). 2) Use consensus based methods, case studies, and focus groups to develop and confirm appropriate actions by GPs (treatment algorithms for best practices for prescribing). 3) Finalize intervention, pilot test and conduct interviews with targets regarding feasibility and acceptability of intervention | Behaviour: decreasing inappropriate prescribing in older adults Provider: general practitioners Setting: primary care in Ireland Clinical condition: older adults | Ind | Yes (MRC) | Yes | No | No | Yes |
5. Curran, 2008 [14] QUERI method | 1) Determine site-specific needs/barriers (observations and interviews) 2) Develop the intervention with staff, research experts, and clinical experts (meetings, consulting with others, facilitation by local champions) | Behaviour: implementing a guideline for depression Provider: all staff Setting: substance abuse clinic Clinical condition: depression/substance abuse | Ind Org Sys | Yes (Stetler’s concept of formative evaluation, Rubenstein’s EBQI) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
6. Foy, 2007[28] | 1) Specification of target behaviours 2) Select theoretical framework 3) Conduct predictive study 4) Choose variables to target 5) Map variables to behaviour change techniques 6) Choose method of delivery 7) Operationalise intervention components | Behaviour: implementing disclosure behaviours for diagnosing dementia Providers: mental health teams Clinical condition: dementia | Ind | Yes (BCT) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
7. French, 2012[21] | 1) Who needs to do what differently? 2) Using a theoretical framework, which barriers and enablers need to be addressed? 3) Which intervention components could overcome the modifiable barriers/enablers? 4) How can the behaviour change be measured and understood? | Behaviour: implementing better back pain care Providers: GP’s Clinical condition: low back pain | Ind | Yes (TDF, BCT) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
8. Fretheim, 2004[32] | 1) Researchers engage in structured reflection 2) Review relevant evidence 3) Conduct a survey of the targets 4) Engage targets in discussion while piloting the intervention | Behaviour: implementing improved pharmacological management Providers: GP’s Clinical condition: hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia | Ind | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
9. Kolehmainen 2012 [22] | 1) Identify behaviour change techniques 2) Providers generate evidence-based and context-relevant modes of delivery for the techniques (advisory team and brainstorming) 3) Use theory and BCT taxonomy to create hypotheses about the mechanisms of change | Behaviour: improved caseload management through three specific goal-setting behaviours Provider: pediatric occupational therapists | Ind | Yes (BCT, MRC) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
10. McDermott, 2010[31] | 1) Identify the intervention using evidence and theory 2) Conduct interviews with targets re factors likely to influence 3) Analyse and modify the intervention 4) Conduct ‘think aloud’ interviews with targets re intervention 5) Finalize intervention | Behaviour: implementing guidelines Provider: general practitioners Setting: General practices Clinical condition: stroke and respiratory tract infection | Ind | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
11. Porcheret, 2014[25] | 1) Clearly define desired change and targets for change 2) Analyse current practice including barriers and facilitators using a structured theory-based approach—TDF 3) Determine intervention strategies based on a taxonomy of behaviour change techniques and theory—Adult Learning Theory 4) Implement 5) Evaluate | Behaviour: enhanced consultation by GP’s for people with OA according to guidelines Provider: general practitioners Setting: primary care Clinical condition: osteoarthritis | Ind | Yes (Implementation of Change Model [41], TDF and BCT) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
12. Sassen, 2012[26] | 1) Needs assessment of the population 2) Define performance objectives as they relate to determinants (change objectives) 3) Link the performance objectives to the determinants and suggest intervention methods to change the determinants that are based on theory 4) Develop and pre-test the intervention 5) Adopt, implement, and sustain intervention | Behaviour: encourage patients to engage in physical activity Provider: nursing or physiotherapy health professionals Setting: cardiovascular inpatient and outpatient care Clinical condition: patients with cardiovascular disease | Ind | Yes (IM) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
13. Schmid, 2010[27] | 0) Complete a needs assessment by conducting interviews with providers 1) Set performance objectives that are linked to related determinants and expected change 2) Select a theory-based intervention methodology to determine intervention components that are linked to the objectives set in step 1 3) Design the intervention using all IM steps, and the results of the needs assessment from step 0 4) Tailor the resulting intervention to local needs, adopt, and implement 5) Monitor and evaluate | Behaviour: adherence to stroke prevention guidelines Provider: entire stroke team physicians, nursing, allied health Setting: continuum of stroke care Clinical condition: Stroke | Ind | Yes (IM) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
14. Taylor, 2013[19] (TDFI) | 1) Engage stakeholders 2) Identify target behaviours 3) Identify barriers and facilitators using TDF, focus groups, barrier questionnaire 4) Engage stakeholders to develop local strategies linked to barriers based on BCT plus current literature 5) Support stakeholders to implement 6) Assess feasibility and acceptability | Behaviour: adhere to guideline for reduce risk of feeding into misplaced nasogastric tubes Provider: setting: acute care Clinical condition: in-patients with nasogastric tubes | Ind | Yes (TDF, BCT) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
15. van Bokhoven 2004 [20] | 1) Identify problem/target for improvement 2) Problem analysis 3) Design the intervention 4) Pre-test 5) Adopt and implement 6) Evaluate | Quality improvement | Ind | Yes (IM) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |