Table 8 Key whole-of-intervention strategies, context, mechanisms and impacts

Local tailoring based on needs/situational analysis [41, 102, 131, 133, 134]

Each intervention site has unique features that interact with the implemented strategies [79] Policy-makers have existing strengths and skills; their needs will vary

• Tailoring based on high quality needs/situational analysis maximises intervention compatibility, including its ability to build on local strengths and tackle areas of real need

• Where participants collaborate in tailoring they feel respected/heard and have increased ownership of and investment in the intervention outcomes

• Greater acceptance of the intervention’s local fit and utility

• Active support of the intervention and its goals

Using multiple strategies to target different forms and levels of capacity [41, 101,102,103,104, 106, 110, 127,128,129,130,131, 133, 134, 137, 138]

Research use is multi-factorial Capacity exists in different forms and at different levels (individual, interpersonal, organisational and wider environmental); supports and constraints in one area or at one level affect responses in others

• Strengthened capacity in one area supports capacity growth in other areas

• Strategies interact synergistically to shape a conducive environment for research use

• Greater, and more sustainable, change in using research