Journal Article

Implementation Matters: A Review of Research on the Influence of Implementation on Program Outcomes and the Factors Affecting Implementation

Durlak, Joseph A., DuPre, Emily P.

2008

Overview

The first purpose of this review was to assess the impact of implementation on program outcomes, and the second purpose was to identify factors affecting the implementation process. Results from over quantitative 500 studies offered strong empirical support to the conclusion that the level of implementation affects the outcomes obtained in promotion and prevention programs. Findings from 81 additional reports indicate there are at least 23 contextual factors that influence implementation. The implementation process is affected by variables related to communities, providers and innovations, and aspects of the prevention delivery system (i.e., organizational functioning) and the prevention support system (i.e., training and technical assistance). The collection of implementation data is an essential feature of program evaluations, and more information is needed on which and how various factors influence implementation in different community settings.

• Publisher: Springer US,Blackwell Science Ltd
• Subject: Behavioral Science and Psychology / Clinical outcomes / Clinical Psychology / Communities / Community and Environmental Psychology / Community health care / Data collection / Delivery Systems / Health promotion / Health Promotion - organization & administration / Health Psychology / Implementation / Innovations / Original Paper / Outcome Assessment (Health Care) / Personality and Social Psychology / Prevention / Prevention programs / Program Development - methods / Programs / Psychology / Public Health / Social services delivery / Success factors / Support networks / Technical assistance / Youth programs