How to Design an Evidence-Based Intervention

Designing an evidence-based intervention is a process that requires research and planning. There are many evidence-based interventions for mental health, substance abuse, and in psychological and educational settings with children and adolescents. There is no need to re-invent the wheel when designing an evidence-based intervention. There are thousands of interventions that have already been researched, developed and evaluated within specific groups, settings, ages and geographic areas. The process of designing an intervention requires a careful review of the needs of your population and organization and a review of the interventions currently available.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine the problem area that you want the intervention to address, financial resources and staff availability. Make a list of the objectives that you have for the intervention.

• 2

  Select the right evidence-based program. There are thousands of evidence-based interventions approved by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration published online. The interventions are thoroughly described with details on outcomes, ages, settings and costs. You can compare several interventions, and locate contact information for the publishers of each intervention.

• 3

  Locate articles and other evidence-based resources that support the intervention you selected. Although the interventions are complete, in order to develop a full understanding of the concepts and theories that the intervention is founded in, it is recommended that you do additional research on the methods utilized in the intervention before you implement it. This will give you an opportunity to read about any other organization's implementation, successes and failures.

• 4

  Design an evaluation plan. How will you know that you have achieved your goals through the implementation of this intervention? Outline these objectives ahead of time and arrange them into a checklist. Use this checklist as a formative assessment tool. As the intervention is occurring, you can use the checklist to ensure objectives are being met.