A systematic review of the use of theory in the design of guideline dissemination and implementation strategies and interpretation of the results of rigorous evaluations

There is growing interest in the use of cognitive, behavioural and organisational theories in implementation research. However the extent of use of theory in implementation research is uncertain.

Methods: Systematic review of use of theory in 235 rigorous evaluations of guideline dissemination and implementation studies published between 1966 and 1998.

Use of theory was classified according to type of use (explicitly theory based, some conceptual basis, and theoretical construct used) and stage of use (choice/design of intervention, process/mediators/moderators and post hoc/explanation).

Results: Fifty-three of 235 studies (22.5%) were judged to have employed theories including 14 studies that explicitly used theory. The majority of studies (n=42) used only one theory; the maximum number of theories employed by any study was three.

Twenty five different theories were used. A small number of theories accounted for the majority of theory use including PRECEDE, Diffusion of Innovations, Information overload and Social marketing (Academic detailing).

Conclusions: There was poor justification of choice of intervention and use of theory in implementation research in the identified studies until at least 1998.

Future research should explicitly identify the justification for the interventions. Greater use of explicit theory to understand barriers, design interventions and explore mediating pathways and moderators is needed to advance the science of implementation research.

Author: Philippa DaviesAnne WalkerJeremy Grimshaw
Credits/Source: Implementation Science 2010, 5:14

Published on: 2010-02-09

Copyright by the authors listed above - made available via BioMedCentral (Open Access). Please make sure to read our disclaimer prior to contacting 7thSpace Interactive. To contact our editors, visit our online helpdesk. If you wish submit your own press release, click here.

Comments Page 0 of 0

There are currently 0 comments to display.

+ Add New Comment

Custom Search