More about the phase 'Select, tailor, implement interventions'

Features of effective and ineffective strategies

The table below displays a list of features of effective and ineffective strategies (LaRocca et al., 2012; Lau et al., 2015; Squires et al., 2012; Yost et al., 2015).

effective strategies

Features of effective strategies:

  • Interactive;
  • Active delivery (delivered to decision-makers rather than requiring them to access it independently);  
  • Tailored to the needs of end-users;
  • Tailored to address barriers relevant to the setting;
  • High or positive status of the individual or group delivering the strategy (e.g., multidisciplinary opinion leader teams; educators known and respected, led by a senior colleague or superior); and 
  • Highly accessible.
ineffective strategies

Features of ineffective strategies

  • The sole use of the didactic teaching format;
  • Infrequent feedback;
  • Use of a one-size-fits-all approach; and 
  • Low exposure to the intervention (an educational session of one day may not have an impact on participants' practice).

Remember: Simple or single implementation strategies, in some cases, can be as effective as multiple interventions, or interventions with multiple parts.