Table 1 Intervention conditions according to the TIDieR guidelines

Item 1. “Brief name: provide the name of a phrase that describes the intervention”

Usual practice control group

Evidence-based policy recommendation document

Evidence-based policy recommendation document and a knowledge broker

Item 2. “Why: describe any rationale, theory, or goal of the elements essential to the intervention”

Usual practice is the model of weekend allied health resource allocation decision-making at the research location. This serves as a pragmatic reference standard for implementation research

The evidence-based policy recommendation document will communicate research findings in an accessible format to facilitate evidence informed decision making [43]. This will be achieved by embedding an understanding of the political context within design, providing quality evidence communicated through a credible messenger, and fostering active engagement and linkages between policy-makers and researchers [44].

The evidence-based policy recommendation document will be the same as that provided to implementation strategy group 1.

In addition, the knowledge broker will act as an intermediary agent to facilitate the transfer and exchange of relevant information between researchers and healthcare decision-makers to promote evidence informed decision-making [48, 49]. The knowledge broker will undertake activities focused on identifying and engaging with decision-makers, facilitating collaboration, identifying and obtaining relevant information, facilitating development of analytic and interpretive skills, creating research implementation resources, project coordination, communication and information sharing, network development, evaluating change, and supporting sustainability [48].

Item 3. “What (materials): Describe any physical or informational materials used in the intervention, including those provided to participants or used in intervention delivery or in training of intervention providers. Provide information on where the materials can be accessed (e.g. online appendix, URL).”

There will be no materials provided to the control group during the study period. Participants will be able to use materials ordinarily available for resource allocation decisions at their discretion.

The evidence-based policy recommendation document provided will be constructed in a simple 1:3:25 format developed by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation [55]. It allows for a one-page outline of key messages, a three-page executive summary, and 25 pages presenting the report findings and methodology.

Participants will be provided with the same evidence-based policy recommendation document as implementation strategy group 1.

Participants in implementation strategy group 2 will also be provided with access to a knowledge broker who may deliver educational materials including plain English summaries, slides, and handouts. Scientific abstracts and full-text journal articles relevant to the weekend allied health resource allocation decision may also be provided as applicable.

Item 4. “What (procedures): Describe each of the procedures, activities, and/or processes used in the intervention, including any enabling or support activities.”

Weekend allied health resource allocation decisions will follow usual practice conditions according to pre-existing individual and organisational processes.

The evidence-based policy recommendation document will be emailed to participants after random group allocation. This document was developed by project investigators through a consensus building approach and reviewed by a key stakeholder committee comprised of health professionals, managers, consumers, carer representatives, policy-makers, and academics.

The same version of the evidence-based policy recommendation document provided to implementation strategy group 1 will be emailed to participants after random group allocation.

The knowledge broker will offer an initial consultation to perform an individual, organisational, and external environment (e.g. government policy) needs assessment, and develop a 12-month plan. One webinar session will be offered within the first 6 months depending on allied health manager availability, and monthly follow-up contact will also be offered.

Item 5. “Who: For each category of intervention provider (e.g. psychologist, nursing assistant), describe their expertise, background and any specific training given.”

Participants may consult a variety of individuals at their discretion.

A team of tertiary qualified academics, clinicians, and policy-makers from healthcare and business management backgrounds in Victoria, Australia produced and endorsed the evidence-based policy recommendation document.

A team of tertiary qualified academics, clinicians, and policy-makers from healthcare and business management backgrounds in Victoria, Australia produced and endorsed the evidence-based policy recommendation document.

In addition, one knowledge broker with a PhD level qualification, from an allied health professional background, with research experience, currently employed as a post-doctoral research fellow will be recruited for this implementation strategy.

Item 6. “How: Describe the modes of delivery (e.g. face-to-face or by some other mechanism, such as internet or telephone) of the intervention and whether it was provided individually or in a group.”

Usual practice conditions may involve participants accessing information via internet, telephone, or face to face when making resource allocation decisions.

An electronic evidence-based policy recommendation document will be provided via email.

An electronic evidence-based policy recommendation document will be provided via email.

The 1:1 initial knowledge broker consultation will be offered via telephone, videoconference, or face to face (where available) as per participant preference. The group-based webinar session will be offered via video or audio and follow-up contact will be offered via email or telephone (as per participant preference).

Item 7. “Where: Describe the type(s) of location(s) where the intervention occurred, including any necessary infrastructure or relevant features.”

Usual practice conditions are likely to involve participants making decisions at their place of work.

An electronic version of the evidence-based policy recommendation document will be delivered via email. Therefore, participants may be able to access at the location of their choice. This is most likely to be accessed at their place of work, in an acute or sub-acute hospital.

An electronic version of the evidence-based policy recommendation document will be delivered via email. Therefore, participants may be able to access at the location of their choice. This is most likely to be accessed at their place of work, in an acute or sub-acute hospital.

The knowledge broker contact will occur via webinar, telephone, or email. Therefore, participants may be able to access at the location of their choice. This is most likely to be accessed at their place of work in an acute or sub-acute hospital. If the initial consultation can be arranged face to face, this will occur at a location convenient to both the participant and the knowledge broker, most likely at the participant’s place of work.

Item 8. “When and How Much: Describe the number of times the intervention was delivered and over what period of time including the number of sessions, their schedule, and their duration, intensity or dose.”

12-month wait list of usual practice conditions. The evidence-based policy recommendation document will be provided upon study completion.

One evidence based policy recommendation document will be provided to participants after random group allocation for the duration for the 12-month intervention period.

One evidence-based policy recommendation document will be provided to participants after random group allocation for the duration for the 12-month intervention period.

The knowledge broker will provide one 60-min initial consultation, one 60-min group webinar, and one follow-up contact each month for the 12-month intervention period.

Item 9. “Tailoring: If the intervention was planned to be personalised, titrated or adapted, then describe what, why, when, and how.”

Usual practice conditions allow participants to take various approaches when making resource allocation decisions. These can be altered at participant discretion as per organisation policy and practice.

There is no adaptation planned for the evidence-based policy recommendation document during the study period.

There is no adaptation planned for the evidence-based policy recommendation document during the study period.

The knowledge broker role is iterative in nature. Interaction will be tailored to the needs of the participants at the discretion of the knowledge broker based on their professional judgement.

Item 10. “Modifications: If the intervention was modified during the course of the study, describe the changes (what, why, when, and how).”

Not applicable for protocol

Not applicable for protocol

Not applicable for protocol

Item 11. “How Well (planned): If intervention adherence or fidelity was assessed, describe how and by whom, and if any strategies were used to maintain or improve fidelity, describe them.”

Adherence or fidelity will not be assessed in the usual practice control group, as no implementation strategy will be provided during the study period.

Whether or not participants read the evidence-based policy recommendation document will be explored in the 12-month follow-up qualitative interviews.

Whether or not participants read the evidence-based policy recommendation document will be explored in the 12-month follow-up qualitative interviews.

Adherence to the knowledge broker component of the implementation strategy group 2 intervention will be monitored via the knowledge broker diary kept for the 12-month period.

Item 12. “How Well (actual): If intervention adherence or fidelity was assessed, describe the extent to which the intervention was delivered as planned.”

Not applicable for protocol

Not applicable for protocol

Not applicable for protocol