Intervention fidelity.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although an assumption of consistency in intervention delivery is key to the conclusion that the findings are valid, attention to both interventionist adherence and competence has not become a standard in nursing intervention research. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to describe the technology model of intervention fidelity as it applies to psychosocial interventions, and to propose its application in nursing intervention research as a way to support accurate conclusions about validity. METHODS: The features and methods of the Technology Model of intervention fidelity were reviewed. The review included development of a manual, training and supervision of interventionists, measurement of intervention fidelity, and inclusion of intervention fidelity as an independent variable in the analysis. RESULTS: The Technology Model and the associated methodologies that have been used to monitor psychosocial intervention fidelity in psychiatry can be adapted and applied by nursing. Monitoring costs can be managed through use of a general system that can be applied across programmatic or related studies. CONCLUSIONS: Application of the Technology Model of intervention fidelity could advance the maturation of nursing intervention research and evidence-based clinical practice.