title: A tool for exploring the dynamics of innovative interventions for public health: the critical event card.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Public health interventions are increasingly represented as complex systems. Research tools for capturing the dynamic of interventions processes, however, are practically non-existent. This paper describes the development and proof of concept process of an analytical tool, the critical event card (CEC), which supports the representation and analysis of complex interventions' evolution, based on critical events.
  
  
  METHODS
  Drawing on the actor-network theory (ANT), we developed and field-tested the tool using three innovative health interventions in northeastern Brazil. Interventions were aimed to promote health equity through intersectoral approaches; were engaged in participatory evaluation and linked to professional training programs. The CEC developing involve practitioners and researchers from projects. Proof of concept was based on document analysis, face-to-face interviews and focus groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analytical categories from CEC allow identifying and describing critical events as milestones in the evolution of complex interventions. Categories are (1) event description; (2) actants (human and non-human) involved; (3) interactions between actants; (4) mediations performed; (5) actions performed; (6) inscriptions produced; and (7) consequences for interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CEC provides a tool to analyze and represent intersectoral internvetions' complex and dynamic evolution.
authors: Escola Nacional de Saude Publica/Fiocruz, Rua Leopoldo Bulhões 1480, sala 611, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-210, Brazil. anaclaudiafigueiro@gmail.com.
authors: Ana Claudia
authors: AC
authors: Figueiro
authors: Fiocruz-PE, Av. Moraes Rego, s/n, Campus da UFPE-Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-420, Brazil.
authors: Sydia Rosana
authors: SR
authors: de Araújo Oliveira
authors: Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: Zulmira
authors: Z
authors: Hartz
authors: Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement, Centre de santé et des services sociaux, Institut universitaire de gériatrie, Sherbrooke 1036, rue Belvédère Sud, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 4C4, Canada.
authors: Yves
authors: Y
authors: Couturier
authors: Chaire de recherche Approches communautaires et inégalités de santé, University of Montreal, 7101 Av du Parc, Montréal, QC, H3N 1X9, Canada.
authors: Jocelyne
authors: J
authors: Bernier
authors: Nucleo de Saude Publica/UFPE, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego s/nº, Hospital das Clínicas, Bloco E, 4º andar, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-901, Brazil.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: do Socorro Machado Freire
authors: Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa/IMIP, Rua dos Coelhos, 300 Boa Vista, Recife, Pernambuco, 50070-550, Brazil.
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Samico
authors: Instituto de Saúde Coletiva/Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Basílio da Gama, s/n-Canela, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-040, Brazil.
authors: Maria Guadalupe
authors: MG
authors: Medina
authors: Nucleo de Saude Publica/UFPE, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego s/nº, Hospital das Clínicas, Bloco E, 4º andar, Cidade Universitária, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-901, Brazil.
authors: Ronice Franco
authors: RF
authors: de Sa
authors: Medecine sociale et préventive, ESPUM, Université de Montréal, 7101 avenue du Parc, local 3028, Montréal, QC, H3N 1X9, Canada.
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Potvin
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D066269:Social Theory
keywords: Actor network theory; Critical event; Health promotion; Innovative interventions