Cited by 331Health Policy Implementation ScienceEvaluation and Performance AssessmentClinical practice guidelines implementation

Adapting evidence-informed complex population health interventions for new contexts: a systematic review of guidance

Open access
Movsisyan, A., Arnold, L., Evans, R., Hallingberg, B., Moore, G., O’Cathain, A., Pfadenhauer, L. M., Segrott, J. +1 more·2019·Implementation Science

Abstract

Background: Adapting interventions that have worked elsewhere can save resources associated with developing new interventions for each specific context. While a developing body of evidence shows benefits of adapted interventions compared with interventions transported without adaptation, there are also examples of interventions which have been extensively adapted, yet have not worked in the new context. Decisions on when, to what extent, and how to adapt interventions therefore are not straightforward, particularly when conceptualising intervention effects as contingent upon contextual interactions in complex systems. No guidance currently addresses these questions comprehensively. To inform development of an overarching guidance on adaptation of complex population health interventions, this systematic review synthesises the content of the existing guidance papers. Methods: We searched for papers published between January 2000 and October 2018 in 7 bibliographic databases. We used citation tracking and contacted authors and experts to locate further papers. We double screened all the identified records. We extracted data into the following categories: descriptive information, key concepts and definitions, rationale for adaptation, aspects of adaptation, process of adaptation, evaluating and reporting adapted interventions. Data extraction was conducted independently by two reviewers, and retrieved data were synthesised thematically within pre-specified and emergent categories. Results: We retrieved 6694 unique records. Thirty-eight papers were included in the review representing 35 sources of guidance. Most papers were developed in the USA in the context of implementing evidence-informed interventions among different population groups within the country, such as minority populations. We found much agreement on how the papers defined key concepts, aims, and procedures of adaptation, including involvement of key stakeholders, but also identified gaps in scope, conceptualisation, and operationalisation in several categories. Conclusions: Our review found limitations that should be addressed in future guidance on adaptation . Specifically, future guidance needs to be reflective of adaptations in the context of transferring interventions across countries, including macro- (e.g. national-) level interventions, better theorise the role of intervention mechanisms and contextual interactions in the replicability of effects and accordingly conceptualise key concepts, such as fidelity to intervention functions, and finally, suggest evidence-informed strategies for adaptation re-evaluation and reporting. Trial registration: PROSPERO 2018, CRD42018112714 .

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  1. [13]Pawon R Tilley N Realist evaluation 1997 London Sage Publications Ltd
  2. [62]Backer T Finding the balance: program fidelity and adaptation in substance abuse prevention: a state-of-the-art review 2002 Rockville Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  3. [77]O’Cathain A Croot L Duncan E Rousseau N Sworn K Turner KM Guidance on how to develop complex interventions to improve health and healthcare BMJ Open. 2019 9 8 e029954 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029954 31420394 PMC6701588 · DOI · Paper page

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Authors
Movsisyan, A., Arnold, L., Evans, R., Hallingberg, B., Moore, G., O’Cathain, A., Pfadenhauer, L. M., Segrott, J., & Rehfuess, E.
Affiliations
  • Institut für Medizinische Informationsverarbeitung, Biometrie und Epidemiologie (DE)
  • Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (GB)
  • Cardiff Metropolitan University (GB)
  • University of Sheffield (GB)
Corresponding author
Movsisyan, A.
Venue
Implementation Science
Published
2019-12
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
105-105
ISSN
1748-5908 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2995364571
Cited by
331
References
84
Citations by year
2026: 41 · 2025: 45 · 2024: 68 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 46 · 2021: 72 · 2020: 22
FWCI
6.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Implementation Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
  • ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (acceptedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Open access LMU (Ludwid Maxmilian's Universitat Munchen) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Cardiff Metropolitan Research Repository (Cardiff Metropolitan University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Medical Research Council (MR/R013357/1)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Evaluation and Performance Assessment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Clinical practice guidelines implementation
Keywords
intervention adaptation, evidence-informed interventions, adaptation guidance, contextual adaptation, intervention fidelity, intervention mechanisms, context-aware interaction, stakeholder engagement, minority groups
MeSH terms
Population Health, Delivery of Health Care, Health Plan Implementation, Health Promotion, Humans, Evidence-Based Medicine

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