Optimization of Prevention Interventions Using MOST: State of the Science and Future Directions

For many years, prevention interventions have been developed by creating or selecting intervention components, assembling the components into a treatment package, and evaluating the package in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Recently an alternative framework has been developed, called the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST). Inspired by approaches that are standard in fields such as industrial engineering, MOST emphasizes development of an optimized intervention before an RCT is considered. The information needed for optimization is gathered in an optimization trial. Based on the results of this trial, the investigator can eliminate underperforming components. If desired, the investigator can select from among the remaining components with cost (broadly defined) as a criterion—for example, can select the subset of components that provides the best expected outcome that can be obtained within some upper limit on implementation cost.

In this presentation, Dr. Linda M. Collins, Distinguished Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at The Pennsylvania State University, will briefly describe MOST and contrast it to the classical treatment package approach. She will then review examples of recent and current applications of MOST. Finally, she will discuss where she sees the field of intervention optimization going, including future methodological directions.

For more information and to register, visit the webinar website.