Core Implementation Components

Abstract

The failure of better science to readily produce better services has led to increasing interest in the science and practice of implementation. The results of recent reviews of implementation literature and best practices are summarized in this article. Two frameworks related to implementation stages and core implementation components are described and presented as critical links in the science to service chain. It is posited that careful attention to these frameworks can more rapidly advance research and practice in this complex and fascinating area.

Introduction to the Special Issue: Legislation Related to Children’s Evidence-Based Practice

“…In this hands-on description of a model, the benefits at the agency level and policy level are described. Aligning the framework with the National Implementation Research Network (Fixsen et al 2009), three core aspects of fidelity are described. Context refers to the training and organizational supports that are necessary for program implementation.…”

Fiscal loss and program fidelity: impact of the economic downturn on HIV/STI prevention program fidelity

“…In general, some program modifications or adaptations are expected and may be beneficial [18][19][20]. However, eliminating or substantially changing core program components (essential elements in producing behavior change) and program structures (e.g., session length, session order, delivery method) may diminish program efficacy [4,5,21].…”

“…Program fidelity in its most parsimonious form refers to the presentation of core program components (i.e., essential elements in producing behavior change) [21]. Changes or adaptations in core program components may diminish program efficacy.…”

“…Changes or adaptations in core program components may diminish program efficacy. Program fidelity may be further conceptualized along a number of dimensions including compliance and competence fidelity, but may also include other dimensions such as structural fidelity (e.g., adhering to the required session number and length) [4,5,21]. Of these, compliance fidelity is fundamental to other forms of fidelity in that compliance with performing core components is essential to program effectiveness.…”

“…Antecedents of fidelity Program fidelity may be influenced by a wide range of factors including antecedents (a) at the level of the counselor (e.g., client-counselor exchange or counselor-agency relationship), (b) at the program or intraagency level (e.g., agency mandates governing session length), (c) at the local community and agency network levels, and/or (d) at the state or national level (e.g., institutions such as Congress and the NIH or resources [tax revenues]) [4,5,[20][21][22][23]. Prior work examining HIV program fidelity has identified a number of fidelity challenges at the program level (e.g., training, client fit, procedural fit) [13,14,17,[24][25][26][27][28][29].…”