Using a realist review approach, an initial programme theory of appraisal will be developed by consulting with key stakeholders in doctors' appraisal in expert panels (ethical approval is not required), and by searching the literature to identify relevant existing theories.
Phase 1: development of an initial programme theory or theories that will be 'tested' through a first scoping of the literature and consultation with five stakeholder groups (care home providers, user representatives, academics and practice educators, clinicians with a special interest in FI and continence specialists).
A 1955 paper on gas-cooled reactors using the U-233/thorium cycle attracted interest and this progressed to the definition of an initial programme.
Based on the initial Programme of Support prototype and lessons learned, similar transition programmes were launched in other social sectors.
The former is offered in many universities and, although there are some local variations, it usually includes an initial structured programme of cohort-based taught courses followed by a period of autonomous research leading to a dissertation.
The study starts with a reconstruction of the initial programme theory of the intervention (step A in figure 4) corresponding to steps 1 and 2 of the Van Belle framework.
The basis of its initial programme consisted of works by William Byrd – famously a recusant Catholic during the reign of Elizabeth I – performed in the very burial place of the monarch's mother, Anne Boleyn, as well as that of Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell.
The refining of the programme theory, starting from the initial programme logic of the designers, to a refined programme theory incorporating insight from literature, design of the programme, and its implementation context, is explained elsewhere [ 41].
Van Belle et al. [ 12] recommend three data sources for theory of change construction: a) the initial programme funding application; b) the views of programme stakeholders including potential programme recipients and c) evidence from similar or related interventions.
