Table 1 Activities relevant to applying the person-based approach at each stage of intervention development and early evaluation
From: The person-based approach to enhancing the acceptability and feasibility of interventions
Stage of intervention development and evaluation | Specific person-based approach activities useful at each stagea | Other activities relevant to person-based approach normally undertaken as part of intervention development |
|---|---|---|
1. Intervention planning | • Synthesise previous qualitative studies of user experiences of similar interventions • Carry out qualitative research to elicit user views of the planned behaviour changes and intervention (including relevant previous experience, barriers and facilitators) | • Consult experts and stakeholders (e.g. members of user groups, practitioners, purchasers of healthcare services) • Examine relevant theory and evidence from previous trials • Observe real-life context of intended intervention |
2. Intervention design | • Use themes arising from the intervention planning stage to identify key issues, needs and challenges the intervention must address • Create guiding principles, comprising: a) Key intervention design objectives b) Key distinctive features of the intervention needed to achieve objectives | • Carry out intervention mapping of behavioural determinants and behaviour change techniques • Create logic model describing hypothesised mechanisms of action of intervention |
3. Intervention development and evaluation of acceptability and feasibility | • Elicit and observe user reactions to every intervention element (e.g. using think-aloud techniques), iteratively modifying intervention to optimise acceptability and feasibility • Carry out detailed longitudinal mixed methods case studies of independent intervention usage | • Develop detailed procedures for intervention plus information/advice, manuals, scripts, training, etc. for patients and/or health professionals • Pilot intervention using mixed methods to evaluate acceptability and feasibility |