Implementation Research: Embracing Practitioners' Views

This research explores practitioners' perspectives during the implementation of triadic gaze intervention (TGI), an evidence-based protocol for assessing and planning treatment targeting gaze as an early signal of intentional communication for young children with physical disabilities.

Using qualitative methods, 7 practitioners from 1 early intervention center reported their perceptions about (a) early intervention for young children with physical disabilities, (b) acceptability and feasibility in the use of the TGI protocol in routine practice, and (c) feasibility of the TGI training. Qualitative data were gathered from 2 semistructured group interviews, once before and once after TGI training and implementation.

Qualitative results documented the practitioners' reflections on recent changes to early intervention service delivery, the impact of such change on TGI adoption, and an overall strong enthusiasm for the TGI protocol, despite some need for adaptation.

These results are discussed relative to adapting the TGI protocol and training, when considering how to best bring about change in practice. More broadly, results highlighted the critical role of researcher-practitioner collaboration in implementation research and the value of qualitative data for gaining a richer understanding of practitioners' perspectives about the implementation process.