Program Fidelity
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Transcript of Program Fidelity
Program FidelityProgram Fidelity
Influencing Training Program Functioning and Effectiveness
Cheryl J. Woods, CSW
Program FidelityProgram Fidelity• The degree to which a program or
intervention is delivered as was intended,• What a program or intervention consists of
in practice,• And how well the program or intervention
functions according to its specific design
Who determines program fidelity?
•Top Down
•Consensus
Outcomes and ProcessesOutcomes and ProcessesOutcomes are what we hope to accomplish
through implementation of the program or intervention
Processes refer to what the program or intervention will do to achieve the anticipated outcomes and the way it will be done
Why be concerned with Why be concerned with fidelity?fidelity?
It may be difficult to know what actually happened during the program or intervention– What took place– The quality of the program delivered– Whether the target audience was reached
What are the benefits of What are the benefits of knowing?knowing?
Information about program fidelity– Helps explain differences in observed changes
in the outcomes– Helps strengthen conclusions that the program
or intervention is effective
Attention to fidelity Attention to fidelity Helps us understand the internal dynamics and
operations of the program or intervention– How the pieces of the program fit together– How the users (e.g. trainers, providers, and
trainees) interact– The obstacles faced and resolved
Attention to fidelityAttention to fidelityLets us see the – The strengths and weaknesses of a program or
intervention– Anticipated and unanticipated consequences
Attention to fidelityAttention to fidelityHelps us learn more about “Best Practices”
for:– Replicating– Maintaining – Diffusing programs or interventions
Without attention to fidelityWithout attention to fidelity
It is difficult to know whether to ascribe program outcomes to the full effect of the program as originally intended or to imperfect implementation of the program
For instanceFor instancethe same program at three different sites
– Site A – every one just gets together – Site B – the content of the program is delivered
with little attention to how much or how it is delivered
– Site C – The program is implemented as designed
Promotes FidelityPromotes Fidelity
PreparationPreparation
– Theory of how the program or intervention produces change
– Specification of major components or the active ingredients
– Manual– Training
SupervisionSupervision
Ongoing supervision that includes– Continuous monitoring of implementation– Provisions for corrective action
Threats to Program Threats to Program FidelityFidelity
Cultural IssuesCultural Issues
Language differences between trainers and trainees
Lack of respect for and/or knowledge about the culture and worldview of trainees from diverse cultural backgrounds
Lack of consideration for the values and integrity of the community being served
Issues related to the trainee Issues related to the trainee Pattern of attachment and internal working model Level of active participation Developmental issues Emotional state or history of trauma
Learning skillsAttitude of the traineeTrainee expectations and assumptions
Issues related to the Issues related to the characteristics of the interventioncharacteristics of the intervention
Attrition Mismatch between trainee and trainingScheduling problems Conflict in the goals of the training by trainees, trainers, administration, and community
More issues related to More issues related to the the characteristics of the interventioncharacteristics of the intervention
Program intake timingPhysical setting of training Attitude of the trainer Trainer expectations and assumptions Trainer adherence to program specifications
Verification Verification
Documentation that all aspects are delivered as described and for measuring fidelity across sessions, implementers and sites
Verification of program fidelityVerification of program fidelity
Documentation of Delivery– Are the essential components actually being
delivered? – Quality (e.g. usefulness, affective quality,
responsiveness)
Documentation of Delivery (continued)– Content– Unusual events– Problem solving
AdaptationAdaptation
Modifications can be deliberate or accidental
Balance between fidelity and adaptationRigidity also threatens fidelity by not
allowing for innovation
Intentional ModificationsIntentional Modifications
May included– Enhancements of program components– Adjustments in the nature of the components– Changes in the manner or intensity of delivery– Cultural and other modifications required by
local circumstances
Assessment ToolsAssessment ToolsUsed to verify program fidelityTrainee forms (trainee perceptions)
– What they received– Trainee satisfaction
MeasuresMeasuresTapes can be reviewed and rated
– Audio– Video
Other measuresOther measures– Environmental rating forms– Process notes– Attendance sheets– Adherence measures– Structured observations and interviews
Benefits Benefits Documented compliance to State mandates
Greater willingness to assume outcomes of training
Trainer competency can be evaluated independently of trainee performance
Higher level of training transferred to the work environment