Table 1 Intervention mapping steps, objectives and methods*

1.

Problem analysis

▪ Gain insight into health problem, quality of care, underlying causes and target population

▪ Problem analysis using PRECEDE-PROCEED model;

▪ Analysis based on:

- Literature research

- Individual interviews (n = 321)

- Focus group interviews (n = 26)

- Process maps (n = 5)

- Artifact analyses (n = 5)

- Ishikawa (fishbone) diagrams (n = 5)

2.

Identify intervention outcomes, performance objectives and change objectives

▪ State intervention outcomes

▪ Use evidence from literature and empirical data from problem analysis (step 1)

▪ Specify performance objectives

▪ Select important and changeable determinants

▪ Input from experts in the field of patient handover (healthcare providers, and organizational, social and health scientists)

▪ Develop matrices with change objectives based on performance objectives and determinants of suboptimal hospital discharge

3.

Select theory-based methods and strategies

▪ Identify and select theoretical methods

▪ Literature search on theory-based methods

▪ Select evidence-based interventions and design of practical strategies

▪ Input from experts (n = 220)

▪ Ensure that interventions and strategies address change objectives

▪ Systematic literature review on evidence based discharge interventions

▪ Additional search for experience based practical strategies

▪ Matching methods and practical strategies with determinants and performance objectives (step 1 and 2)

4.

Develop an intervention

▪ Provide suggestions for developing an intervention

▪ Input from literature search and experts

5.

Implementation

▪ Provide suggestions for writing an implementation plan

▪ Literature search of implementation strategies and tools

6.

Evaluation

▪ Provide suggestions for writing an evaluation plan

▪ Literature search on methods for effect and process evaluation on complex interventions