Focusing on fidelity: narrative review and recommendations for improving intervention fidelity within trials of health behaviour change interventions
Elaine Toomey, Wendy Hardeman, Nelli Hankonen, Molly Byrne, Jenny McSharry, Karen Matvienko‐Sikar, Fabiana Lorencatto
Abstract
Recommendations pertain to (1) clarifying how fidelity is defined and conceptualised, (2) considering fidelity beyond intervention delivery, (3) considering strategies to both enhance and assess fidelity, (4) making use of existing frameworks and guidance, (5) considering the quality and comprehensiveness of fidelity assessment strategies, (6) considering the balance between fidelity and adaptation and (7) reporting the use of fidelity enhancement and assessment strategies and their results. Suggestions for future research to improve our understanding of, and ability to, address fidelity in behaviour change interventions are also provided.