Developing program theory for purveyor programs

Abstract

BackgroundFrequently, social interventions produce less for the intended beneficiaries than was initially planned. One possible reason is that ideas embodied in interventions are not self-executing and require careful and systematic translation to put into practice. The capacity of implementers to deliver interventions is thus paramount. Purveyor organizations provide external support to implementers to develop that capacity and to encourage high-fidelity implementation behavior. Literature on the theory underlying this type of program is not plentiful. Research shows that detailed, explicit, and agreed-upon program theory contributes to and encourages high-fidelity implementation behavior. The process of developing and depicting program theory is flexible and leaves the researcher with what might be seen as an overwhelming number of options.MethodsThis study was designed to develop and depict the program theory underlying the support services delivered by a South African purveyor. The purveyor supports seventeen local organizations in delivering a peer education program to young people as an HIV/AIDS prevention intervention. Purposive sampling was employed to identify and select study participants. An iterative process that involved site visits, a desktop review of program documentation, one-on-one unstructured interviews, and a subsequent verification process, was used to develop a comprehensive program logic model.ResultsThe study resulted in a formalized logic model of how the specific purveyor is supposed to function; that model was accepted by all study participants.ConclusionThe study serves as an example of how program theory of a ‘real life’ program can be developed and depicted. It highlights the strengths and weakness of this evaluation approach, and provides direction and recommendations for future research on programs that employ the purveyor method to disseminate interventions.

The Triple P Implementation Framework: the Role of Purveyors in the Implementation and Sustainability of Evidence-Based Programs

“…Developments in the implementation science field have increased understanding of elements of effective implementation and the different roles played by various groups in implementing EBPs. One such group, purveyors, has received increased attention in recent years (Oosthuizen & Louw, 2013). A purveyor is "an individual or group of individuals representing a program or practice who actively work to implement that practice or program with fidelity and good effect" (Fixsen et al, 2005, p. 82).…”

Developing theories of change for social programmes: co-producing evidence-supported quality improvement

“…Received: 9 January 2018 Accepted: 11 June 2018 Notes 1 https://familylinks.org.uk/the-nurturing-programme 2 Purveyors are individuals or organisations that operate in the role of external experts to a provider implementing a particular programme. They support organisations, systems and practitioners in striving to adopt and implement that programme with fidelity and effectiveness (Oosthuizen and Louw, 2013;Franks and Bory, 2015) . 3 http://www.nurturingparenting.com/ 4 Campbell's Law (Campbell, 1979) famously asserts that quantitative measurementwith all the consequences that are typically attached to it-is apt to distort and corrupt the very social processes that are being measured.…”

Program Logic Modelling and Complex Positive Psychology Intervention Design and Implementation: The ‘Resilient Futures’ Case Example

“…Program logic models are routinely applied across diverse settings and disciplines, including to operationalise multi-site school interventions (Holliday 2014), research programming (O'Keefe and Head 2011), public health promotion (Crosby and Noar 2011), conservation planning (Margoluis et al 2009), forensic treatment (Stinchcomb 2001) and organisational development and coaching (Oosthuizen and Louw 2013) as just some examples. Logic models offer a method to support agencies or work teams to develop a shared understanding of the program model, including its delivery and underpinning philosophies (English and Kaleveld 2003;McLaughlin and Jordan 2004).…”