Table 2 Phases of realist review

Phase 1

 • Defining the scope of the review: concept mining and theory development

  ◦ Interviews with stakeholders

  ◦ Scoping the literature

  ◦ Mapping key programme theories

  ◦ Prioritising key programme theories

Phase 2

 • Search for primary studies

  ◦ Defining search terms

  ◦ Search strategy

  ◦ Study screening

 • Selection and appraisal of documents

  ◦ Inclusion and exclusion criteria

 • Data extraction

Phase 3

 • Analysis and synthesis

 • Dissemination

  ◦ Expert steering group

  ◦ Additional dissemination methods