Adapting interventions to new contexts—the ADAPT guidance

Abstract

Use of interventions with a previous evidence base in new contexts might be more efficient than developing new interventions Many population health problems and interventions are highly sensitive to context, so implementing an intervention in a new context without adaptation might be less likely to lead to positive outcomes A new consensus informed guidance for adapting interventions to achieve a good fit between the intervention and context (ADAPT) proposes systematic processes for adapting interventions to new contexts, and transparent reporting to facilitate synthesis on what does or does not workThe ADAPT guidance was developed using systematic review methods, qualitative interviews, extensive consultation, and formal consensus methods. It provides a framework and step-by-step guidance for working with stakeholders, selecting suitable interventions, undertaking adaptations, making decisions on evaluation and implementation, and reporting adapted interventions

A new framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions: update of Medical Research Council guidance

“…Alongside implementation specific outcomes (such as reach or uptake of services), attention to the components of the implementation strategy, and contextual factors that support or hinder the achievement of impacts, are key. Some flexibility in intervention implementation might support intervention transferability into different contexts (an important aspect of long term implementation78), provided that the key functions of the programme are maintained, and that the adaptations made are clearly understood 8…”

“…The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) published a framework for researchers and research funders on developing and evaluating complex interventions in 2000 and revised guidance in 2006 123. Although these documents continue to be widely used and are now accompanied by a range of more detailed guidance on specific aspects of the research process,45678 several important conceptual, methodological and theoretical developments have taken place since 2006. These developments have been included in a new framework commissioned by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and the MRC 9.…”

Adapting and usability testing of an eLearning resource to enhance healthcare professional provision of sexual support across cancer care

“…To optimise the MSW|CC and in keeping with PBA intervention development framework, qualitative testing was undertaken, which iteratively elicited and incorporated HPs’ perspectives and preferences into the intervention. One-to-one think-aloud interviews [ 22 ] were conducted (by SLB), either in-person or remotely and reported in accordance with the update FRAME guidance [ 23 ] for reporting on intervention adaptation along with further recommendations from ADAPT guidance v1.0 [ 24 ]. Think-aloud interviews captured participants’ verbalised thoughts, as they systematically worked through the MSW|CC content (Supplement 2 ), highlighting HPs views on the acceptability and usability of the intervention.…”

A guide to systems-level, participatory, theory-informed implementation research in global health

“…18 More recently, the MRC has released guidance on how to adapt an evidence-informed intervention to a new context. 19 Although these guidelines review in detail the essential components to design and evaluate complex interventions, they offer little emphasis or direction on how different theoretical approaches and methods can be applied in practice throughout the different phases of implementation research to address specific research objectives. This guide aims to address the gaps in the literature in order to provide an overview of the different theoretical approaches and methods to implementation research that can be applied to address specific research objectives, throughout the implementation process.…”

“… 18 More recently, the MRC has released guidance on how to adapt an evidence-informed intervention to a new context. 19 Although these guidelines review in detail the essential components to design and evaluate complex interventions, they offer little emphasis or direction on how different theoretical approaches and methods can be applied in practice throughout the different phases of implementation research to address specific research objectives.…”