Organizational Factors Associated with Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices: Multiple Family Group Psychoeducation in New York State
Abstract
Background. Organizational culture (shared norms and expectations) and organizational climate (psychological impact of the workplace on staff) can play a critical role in dissemination of evidence-based practices, but few studies have specifically examined their relationship to implementation fidelity. This study assessed the relationship between organizational culture and climate and fidelity to the multiple family group model of psychoeducation (MFG) using data collected during a statewide implementation in New York. Methods. Baseline training in the MFG model was followed by monthly consultation with outside experts in MFG over 18 months. 238 staff from 29 participating organizations were surveyed on measures of organizational culture (leadership and attitudes towards families) and organizational climate (job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion). Fidelity outcomes were captured using the Family Psychoeducation Fidelity Scale and records of milestone achievement. Correlations and logistic regression were used to explore relationships between predictor variables and fidelity outcomes. Results. Few agencies succeeded in achieving high fidelity to the MFG model, and clinical items had lower fidelity scores compared to structural items. Higher levels of emotional exhaustion predicted lower fidelity on structural components after controlling for agency size. Attitudes towards families was associated with specific items on the Fidelity Scale but not with overall fidelity. Effect sizes were modest. Discussion. Study findings are aligned with earlier research showing that implementation outcomes are associated with organizational culture and climate. Organizations with a culture positively oriented towards families achieved higher fidelity on certain elements of the MFG model, underscoring the importance of innovation-organization fit. Organizations with a climate of greater emotional exhaustion scored lower on structural elements, suggesting that staff may have less energy to engage with families as prescribed by MFG model. Agencies implementing EBPs should consider interventions that demonstrate alignment of the EBP with its mission and vision and mitigate emotional exhaustion. Implementation models used in national demonstration projects, such as the use of expert consultant-trainers, may not be sufficient to achieve high-fidelity outcomes in routine settings. States looking to implement EBPs should consider targeting technical assistance and support to components of the model identified by agencies as particularly challenging.
Subject Area
Social work
Recommended Citation
Kealey, Edith M, "Organizational Factors Associated with Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices: Multiple Family Group Psychoeducation in New York State" (2014). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI3620782.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI3620782
