Evaluating the feasibility of interventions for use within NHS mental health services

Article type
Authors
Bird V1, Leamy M1, Le Boutillier C1, Williams J1, Slade M1
1Institute of Psychiatry, Kingás College London, UK
Abstract
Background: Implementation research is an emerging discipline within the field of mental health research. The blocks and enablers of successful implementation within the NHS are currently being researched. The feasibility of an intervention has been identified as one factor linked to its successful implementation.

Objectives: 1. To describe the development of a feasibility measure to rate potential interventions for use within NHS mental health services research and 2. to present the results of a pilot study where that measure is used to rate ten different psychosocial interventions for psychosis.

Methods: A literature search to identify papers assessing blocks and enablers of implementing interventions within NHS mental health services was conducted. Papers were thematically analysed to identify common themes which specifically related to features of the intervention. Vote counting was used to assess the frequency of each theme across the literature. Themes which were present in three or more papers were retained and turned into an item on the feasibility measure. Scoring for the measure was developed through a consultation process involving researchers and clinicians. The feasibility measure was piloted by two researchers assessing 10 different interventions for psychosis.

Results: 95 barriers and facilitators were identified from 11 papers of which 39 themes were specifically related to the intervention and used in the vote counting stage. The final tool included 16 items organised into blocks and enablers. Each item was rated on a likert-type scale. Results of the pilot will be discussed including Inter-rater reliability.

Conclusions: The feasibility measure is a novel approach to evaluating a particular intervention and may be used alongside efficacy and health economic evidence from systematic reviews. Rating the feasibility of an intervention during the evidence review stage may assist commissioners, policy makers, and guideline developers with their decision-making process.