The Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool: a pilot study assessing five interventions for scalability

Lee, K; Milat, A; Grunseit, A; Conte, K; Wolfenden, L; Bauman, A

The Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool: a pilot study assessing five interventions for scalability

Lee, K Milat, A Grunseit, A

Conte, K Wolfenden, L Bauman, A

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Publisher:: Sax Institute
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Public Health Research and Practice, 2020, 30, (2), pp. 1-6
Issue Date:: 2020

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Lee, K
dc.contributor.author	Milat, A
dc.contributor.author	Grunseit, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0783-4596
dc.contributor.author	Conte, K
dc.contributor.author	Wolfenden, L
dc.contributor.author	Bauman, A
dc.date.accessioned	2022-10-30T21:27:46Z
dc.date.available	2022-10-30T21:27:46Z
dc.date.issued	2020
dc.identifier.citation	Public Health Research and Practice, 2020, 30, (2), pp. 1-6
dc.identifier.issn	2204-2091
dc.identifier.issn	2204-2091
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/162981
dc.description.abstract	Objectives: This study tested the utility of the Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool (ISAT) with real-world interventions considered for scale-up in the Australian context. We explored user perceptions of the usefulness of the ISAT in making scalability decisions and conducted an analysis of completed ISATs. Type of program/service: The ISAT was designed to assist policy makers/practitioners to make structured and reflective assessments of the potential scalability of their interventions. Methods: Participants (n = 26) were invited via email and needed to be considering a population intervention for scale-up, to be able to pilot the ISAT, and to be willing to complete an online survey to provide feedback. Survey data and completed ISATs were collated and common responses were identified, with exceptions noted. Results: Thirteen participants accepted the invitation to pilot the ISAT; six completed ISATs and returned surveys and five of each were included in the final analysis. The process by which participants completed the ISAT varied, some involving up to six stakeholders in the process and others only one. The time taken to complete the ISAT ranged from 2 hours to 3 days. Interventions considered for scalability were public health interventions and all but one involved a potential statewide scale-up. In terms of outcome, scalability scores across interventions varied, however, all but one intervention was recommended for scale-up. The remaining intervention was deemed to be promising but further information was required before assessing scalability. Lessons learnt: The ISAT was perceived as a useful tool to assess the scalability of real-world health programs, with participants noting only minor limitations and challenges. The ISAT can be applied to a variety of population health interventions and identifies strengths and weaknesses in the evidence base for scale-up. This study revealed that decisions to scale up are often made despite potential weaknesses highlighted through the ISAT. This is likely a reflection of the critically influential role of contextual factors in decisions to scale up, whereby decision makers may balance a variety of considerations, of which evidence of scalability is only one factor.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Sax Institute
dc.relation.ispartof	Public Health Research and Practice
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.17061/phrp3022011
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.subject.mesh	Administrative Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Decision Making
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Pilot Projects
dc.subject.mesh	Process Assessment, Health Care
dc.subject.mesh	Public Health
dc.subject.mesh	Research Design
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Pilot Projects
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Decision Making
dc.subject.mesh	Public Health
dc.subject.mesh	Research Design
dc.subject.mesh	Administrative Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	Process Assessment, Health Care
dc.title	The Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool: a pilot study assessing five interventions for scalability
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	30
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-10-30T21:27:45Z
pubs.issue	2
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	30
utslib.citation.issue	2

Abstract:

Objectives: This study tested the utility of the Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool (ISAT) with real-world interventions considered for scale-up in the Australian context. We explored user perceptions of the usefulness of the ISAT in making scalability decisions and conducted an analysis of completed ISATs. Type of program/service: The ISAT was designed to assist policy makers/practitioners to make structured and reflective assessments of the potential scalability of their interventions. Methods: Participants (n = 26) were invited via email and needed to be considering a population intervention for scale-up, to be able to pilot the ISAT, and to be willing to complete an online survey to provide feedback. Survey data and completed ISATs were collated and common responses were identified, with exceptions noted. Results: Thirteen participants accepted the invitation to pilot the ISAT; six completed ISATs and returned surveys and five of each were included in the final analysis. The process by which participants completed the ISAT varied, some involving up to six stakeholders in the process and others only one. The time taken to complete the ISAT ranged from 2 hours to 3 days. Interventions considered for scalability were public health interventions and all but one involved a potential statewide scale-up. In terms of outcome, scalability scores across interventions varied, however, all but one intervention was recommended for scale-up. The remaining intervention was deemed to be promising but further information was required before assessing scalability. Lessons learnt: The ISAT was perceived as a useful tool to assess the scalability of real-world health programs, with participants noting only minor limitations and challenges. The ISAT can be applied to a variety of population health interventions and identifies strengths and weaknesses in the evidence base for scale-up. This study revealed that decisions to scale up are often made despite potential weaknesses highlighted through the ISAT. This is likely a reflection of the critically influential role of contextual factors in decisions to scale up, whereby decision makers may balance a variety of considerations, of which evidence of scalability is only one factor.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/162981