Qualitative Research and Its Importance in Adapting Interventions
Abstract
Systematic approaches are essential when adapting interventions, so the adapted intervention is feasible, acceptable, and holds promise for positive outcomes in the new target population and/or setting. Qualitative research is critical to this process. The purpose of this article is to provide an example of how qualitative research was used to guide the adaptation a web-based intervention for family carers of persons with dementia residing in long-term care (LTC) and to discuss challenges associated with using qualitative methodologies in this regard. Four steps are outlined: (a) choosing an intervention to adapt, (b) validating the conceptual framework of the intervention, (c) revising the intervention, and (d) conducting a feasibility study. Challenges with respect to decontextualization and subjective reality are discussed, with suggestions provided on how to overcome them. The result of this process was a feasible and acceptable web-based intervention to support family carers of persons with dementia residing in LTC.
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Data from the qualitative study were considered alongside the perspectives of the adaptation team to inform decisions around the content, delivery, and how to reach and support diverse and underserved families.
“Data from the qualitative study, another key recommendation for adaptation studies [61], were considered alongside the perspectives of the adaptation team to inform decisions around the content, delivery, and how to reach and support diverse and underserved families.”
Cites
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A scoping study of frameworks for adapting public health evidence-based interventions
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“The United Kingdom Medical Research Council Guidelines (Skivington et al., 2018) for the development of complex interventions and their evaluation recommend that a feasibility study be completed to determine whether the intervention is feasible and acceptable to the target population.”
BackgroundAfram, B., Verbeek, H., Bleijlevens, M. H. C., & Hamers, J. P. H. (2015) · International Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1017/s1041610214002154 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
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What Is Qualitative Research? An Overview and Guidelines
Lim, W. M. (2025) · Australasian Marketing Journal · doi:10.1177/14413582241264619 · Cited by 985 · see citing works
Adapting interventions to new contexts—The ADAPT guidance
Moore, G., Campbell, M., Copeland, L., Craig, P., Movsisyan, A., Hoddinott, P., Littlecott, H., O’Cathain, A., Pfadenhauer, L., Rehfuess, E., et al. (2021) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.n1679 · Cited by 511 · see citing works
Prest, K., Barnicot, K., Hurt, C., Badenhorst, F., Borek, A., Whyte, M., Harniess, P., Jannath, A., Lassman, R., Morris, C., et al. (2025) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph22071144 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
- Authors
- Duggleby, W., Peacock, S., Ploeg, J., Swindle, J., Kaewwilai, L., & Lee, H.
- Affiliations
- University of Alberta (CA)
- University of Saskatchewan (CA)
- McMaster University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Duggleby, Wendy
- Venue
- Qualitative Health Research
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2020-05-27
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1605-1613
- ISSN
- 1049-7323 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7557
- OpenAlex
- W3030728200
- Cited by
- 43
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4
- FWCI
- 4.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Qualitative Health Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Education › Health Education and Validation
- Keywords
- intervention adaptation, qualitative research, online intervention, family caregivers, dementia, long-term care, feasibility study, decontextualization, subjective reality, caregiver support
- MeSH terms
- Dementia, Humans, Long-Term Care, Caregivers, Qualitative Research
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