Using an intervention mapping approach to develop and implement a social media intervention

The virtual research environment called the CardiOthoracic Nurses and Allied Professionals rEsearch Network (CONNECT) was created to support, mentor and train these professionals. This paper aims to describe the creation of a social media intervention using an intervention mapping theoretical approach. Intervention Mapping Theory (IMT) was used for the design of the CONNECT social media intervention. IMT is a systematic approach to intervention design and consists of six steps. In the first stage of the IMT, a limited number of evidence produced by nurses was identified. In the second step, the objectives of the CONNECT were determined: increasing brand awareness, increasing user familiarity, association and promoting various opportunities offered. In the third and fourth step, the intervention was developed based on theory and empirical evidence to create the content for the posts and to determine the type of platform and frequency of use. In the fifth step, a protocol was created to guide the adaptation, implementation and maintenance of the CONNECT. Finally, in the sixth step, the resulting intervention is evidence-based, delivered through technology, and personalized for the target population. The use of IM can facilitate the identification of barriers and facilitators of the implementation of the strategy in social media.