Challenges in tailored intervention research.
Although individuals and nurses value tailored health interventions, incorporating tailored interventions into research is fraught with pitfalls. This manuscript provides guidance on addressing challenges on developing, implementing, and evaluating tailored interventions (TIs). The initial step in designing TIs involves selecting the individual characteristics on which to tailor the intervention. After selecting critical characteristics for tailoring, researchers must decide how to assess these characteristics. Then researchers can use manuals, algorithms, or computer programs to tailor an intervention and maintain treatment fidelity. If desired outcomes are not achieved, focus groups or individual interviews may be conducted to gather information to improve the intervention for specific individuals/groups. Then, incorporating study arms of TIs in intervention studies, investigators may compare TIs with standardized interventions statistically and clinically. We believe TIs may have better outcomes, promote better adherence, and be more cost efficient.
Beck
Cornelia
C
Department of Geriatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA. beckcornelia@uams.edu
McSweeney
Jean C
JC
Richards
Kathy C
KC
Roberson
Paula K
PK
Tsai
Pao-Feng
PF
Souder
Elaine
E
D000465:Algorithms; D003625:Data Collection; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012107:Research Design