title: An intervention fidelity framework for technology-based behavioral interventions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the proliferation of health technologies, descriptions of the unique considerations and practical guidance for evaluating the intervention fidelity of technology-based behavioral interventions are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to (a) discuss how technology-based behavioral interventions challenge conventions about how intervention fidelity is conceptualized and evaluated, (b) propose an intervention fidelity framework that may be more appropriate for technology-based behavioral interventions, and (c) present a plan for operationalizing each concept in the framework using the intervention fidelity monitoring plan for Pocket PATH (Personal Assistant for Tracking Health), a mobile health technology designed to promote self-care behaviors after lung transplantation, as an exemplar.
  
  
  METHODS
  The literature related to intervention fidelity and technology acceptance was used to identify the issues that are unique to the fidelity of technology-based behavioral interventions and thus important to include in a proposed intervention fidelity framework. An intervention fidelity monitoring plan for technology-based behavioral interventions was developed as an example.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention fidelity monitoring plan was deemed feasible and practical to implement and showed utility in operationalizing the concepts such as assessing interventionists' delivery and participants' acceptance of the technology-based behavioral intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The framework has the potential to guide the development of implementation fidelity monitoring tools for other technology-based behavioral interventions. Further application and testing of this framework will allow for a better understanding of the role that technology acceptance plays in the adoption and enactment of the behaviors that technology-based behavioral interventions are intended to promote.
authors: School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. ajdst42@pitt.edu
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: Devito Dabbs
authors: Mi-Kyung
authors: MK
authors: Song
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Hawkins
authors: Jill
authors: J
authors: Aubrecht
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Kovach
authors: Lauren
authors: L
authors: Terhorst
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Connolly
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: McNulty
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Callan
mesh_terms: D001292:Attitude to Computers; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface