UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Evaluating complex interventions and health technologies using normalization process theory: development of a simplified approach and web-enabled toolkit

May, CR; Finch, T; Ballini, L; MacFarlane, A; Mair, F; Murray, E; Treweek, S; (2011) Evaluating complex interventions and health technologies using normalization process theory: development of a simplified approach and web-enabled toolkit. BMC Health Services Research , 11 , Article 245. 10.1186/1472-6963-11-245. Green open access

[thumbnail of 1472-6963-11-245.pdf]
Preview
PDF
1472-6963-11-245.pdf

Download (819kB)
[thumbnail of Additional file 1:  Progression from Original Statement and Explanation to beta testing phase.]
Preview
PDF (Additional file 1: Progression from Original Statement and Explanation to beta testing phase.)
1472-6963-11-245-s1.pdf

Download (123kB)
[thumbnail of Additional file 2:  Qualitative Data Collection Using On-Line. Pro Forma - Questions Asked.]
Preview
PDF (Additional file 2: Qualitative Data Collection Using On-Line. Pro Forma - Questions Asked.)
1472-6963-11-245-s2.pdf

Download (37kB)

Abstract

Background: Normalization Process Theory (NPT) can be used to explain implementation processes in health care relating to new technologies and complex interventions. This paper describes the processes by which we developed a simplified version of NPT for use by clinicians, managers, and policy makers, and which could be embedded in a web-enabled toolkit and on-line users manual.Methods: Between 2006 and 2010 we undertook four tasks. (i) We presented NPT to potential and actual users in multiple workshops, seminars, and presentations. (ii) Using what we discovered from these meetings, we decided to create a simplified set of statements and explanations expressing core constructs of the theory (iii) We circulated these statements to a criterion sample of 60 researchers, clinicians and others, using SurveyMonkey to collect qualitative textual data about their criticisms of the statements. (iv) We then reconstructed the statements and explanations to meet users' criticisms, embedded them in a web-enabled toolkit, and beta tested this 'in the wild'.Results: On-line data collection was effective: over a four week period 50/60 participants responded using SurveyMonkey (40/60) or direct phone and email contact (10/60). An additional nine responses were received from people who had been sent the SurveyMonkey form by other respondents. Beta testing of the web enabled toolkit produced 13 responses, from 327 visits to http://www.normalizationprocess.org. Qualitative analysis of both sets of responses showed a high level of support for the statements but also showed that some statements poorly expressed their underlying constructs or overlapped with others. These were rewritten to take account of users' criticisms and then embedded in a web-enabled toolkit. As a result we were able translate the core constructs into a simplified set of statements that could be utilized by non-experts.Conclusion: Normalization Process Theory has been developed through transparent procedures at each stage of its life. The theory has been shown to be sufficiently robust to merit formal testing. This project has provided a user friendly version of NPT that can be embedded in a web-enabled toolkit and used as a heuristic device to think through implementation and integration problems.

Type: Article
Title: Evaluating complex interventions and health technologies using normalization process theory: development of a simplified approach and web-enabled toolkit
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-11-245
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-11-245
Language: English
Additional information: © 2011 May et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Keywords: PROCESS MODEL, IMPROVE HEALTH, CARE, IMPLEMENTATION, ADOPTION, TRIAL
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Primary Care and Population Health
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1332386
Downloads since deposit
237Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item