Abstract
BackgroundThis paper describes a study protocol designed to evaluate a programme of smoking cessation interventions targeting pregnant women and young people living in urban and rural locations in Northeast Scotland. The study design was developed on so-called 'realist' evaluation principles, which are concerned with the implementation of interventions as well as their outcomes.Methods/designA two-phased study was designed based on the Theory of Change (TOC) using mixed methods to assess both process and outcome factors. The study was designed with input from the relevant stakeholders. The mixed-methods approach consists of semi-structured interviews with planners, service providers, service users and non-users. These qualitative interviews will be analysed using a thematic framework approach. The quantitative element of the study will include the analysis of routinely collected data and specific project monitoring data, such as data on service engagement, service use, quit rates and changes in smoking status.DiscussionThe process of involving key stakeholders was conducted using logic modelling and TOC tools. Engaging stakeholders, including those responsible for funding, developing and delivering, and those intended to benefit from interventions aimed at them, in their evaluation design, are considered by many to increase the validity and rigour of the subsequent evidence generated. This study is intended to determine not only the components and processes, but also the possible effectiveness of this set of health interventions, and contribute to the evidence base about smoking cessation interventions aimed at priority groups in Scotland. It is also anticipated that this study will contribute to the ongoing debate about the role and challenges of 'realist' evaluation approaches in general, and the utility of logic modelling and TOC approaches in particular, for evaluation of complex health interventions.
Highlights
This paper describes a study protocol designed to evaluate a programme of smoking cessation interventions targeting pregnant women and young people living in urban and rural locations in Northeast Scotland
This study is intended to determine the components and processes, and the possible effectiveness of this set of health interventions, and contribute to the evidence base about smoking cessation interventions aimed at priority groups in Scotland
It is anticipated that this study will contribute to the ongoing debate about the role and challenges of ‘realist’ evaluation approaches in general, and the utility of logic modelling and Theory of Change (TOC) approaches in particular, for evaluation of complex health interventions
Summary
Our study team were commissioned to evaluate a diverse range of pilot projects; which were being implemented with varying levels of funding and resources, using different intervention strategies. Policy makers and health professionals often come under pressure from both politicians and the media, to develop new ways of tackling long-standing health issues and to demonstrate their effectiveness (or otherwise) within relatively short timeframes. This presents an enormous challenge, given that complex health interventions take. This study aims to provide the evaluators, and the SCPP staff with the means to ascertain and map the components of their interventions, and identify plausible project outcome measures that fairly reflect their nature and intensity. There is potential to provide all SCPP stakeholders with an earlier indication of the likely effectiveness of these interventions, and more evidence about the degree to which the intervention is associated with the observed outcomes, because of the use of logic modelling
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
