Open Access

Justification, rationale and methodological approaches to realist reviews

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Date: 26 July 2022
Journal: European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , Pages 107 - 112
Topic: OTHER, Training and Education
Authors: A. Pearsons , L. Neubeck , J. Hendriks , C. Hanson

ESC Journals

Abstract

Realist reviews offer a method to understand why an intervention is successful or not. Many factors influence how complex healthcare interventions are delivered and this makes understanding what works difficult. Effectiveness depends on delivery context, and success in one setting does not guarantee the same result in alternate settings. How an intervention works (the underlying mechanisms) in a particular setting for one population group, may not work in the same way for a different group. A realist review provides an iterative theory-driven approach to help understand how and for whom and under what conditions an intervention works.

About the contributors

Alice Pearsons

Edinburgh (Edinburgh Napier University)

Role: Author

Lis Neubeck

Edinburgh (Edinburgh Napier University)

Role: Author

Jeroen M Hendriks

Adelaide (Flinders University)

Role: Author