Table 4 NPT analysis for evaluation of implementation of SMS in the cancer context

Coherence

Meaning and sense-making by participants

Refers to the extent to which technology or health care practice makes sense to stakeholders for successful adoption.

1. Is the SMS intervention easy to describe?

2. Is it clearly distinct from other interventions?

3. Does it have a clear purpose that end-users understand?

4. Expected benefits and are they valued?

5. Will it fit with overall goals of the organization?

Cognitive participation

Concerns the commitment and collective engagement of stakeholders

1. Do end users think SMS is a good idea?

2. End users willingness to invest time in SMS?

Collective action

Refers to the relationships and the work required for a new intervention to be taken up in practice and to identify the factors that serve as barriers to implementation and embedding

1. Perceived impact on workload?

2. Promote or impede their work?

3. Compatible with existing work practices?

4. Impact on division of labor, resources or responsibility?

5. Fit with overall goals and activities of the organization?

Reflexive monitoring

Participants reflect on or appraise the trial

Successful embedding of resources and technologies in everyday practice relies upon a continuous process of evaluation that can feed back into refining the object of implementation to ensure it is fit for purpose.

1. How do end-users perceive the intervention in use?

2. Perceived as advantageous to patients?

3. Ongoing monitoring of intervention uptake? Or adapting to local context?