Enabling the transferability of complex interventions: exploring the combination of an intervention's key functions...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Knowledge Translation

Background:

• Public health interventions often lack clear descriptions, hindering evaluation and transferability.
• Existing models may not adequately differentiate between core intervention components and context-specific adaptations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a novel description model for public health interventions.
• To differentiate between transferable intervention elements and context-specific factors to improve evaluation and transfer.

Main Methods:

• Empirical exploration of the distinction between intervention function and context-specific form.
• Description of a community-based intervention ('Ciné-Ma-Santé') using a 'key function/implementation/context' model.
• Co-construction of the description process through qualitative research and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange.

Main Results:

• The 'key function/implementation/context' model was found to be feasible and useful for both project leaders and researchers.
• Nine key functions of the intervention were described, alongside their implementation details and context features.

Conclusions:

• Explicitly defining key functions of public health interventions facilitates their evaluation and transfer.
• This approach allows for hypothesis generation regarding standardizable intervention elements and adaptable components while preserving intervention integrity.