Changes in practitioners' attitudes, perceived training needs and self-efficacy over the implementation process of an...

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Family Support Programs
• Evidence-Based Practices

Background:

• Effective implementation of family support programs like Triple P is crucial for child and family well-being.
• Practitioner attitudes, training needs, and self-efficacy significantly impact evidence-based program (EBP) implementation outcomes.
• Engaging in EBP implementation can positively influence practitioners' perceptions of the initiative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in practitioner attitudes, perceived training needs, and self-efficacy over a two-year implementation of an evidence-based program.
• To examine the interaction between these changes and practitioners' perceptions of organizational capacity for EBP implementation.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study was conducted in Quebec, Canada, involving the implementation and evaluation of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program in two communities.
• Ninety-nine practitioners from various organizations completed questionnaires at baseline (pre-training) and two years post-implementation.

Main Results:

• Practitioners with initial skepticism about organizational capacity showed greater improvements in attitudes over time.
• Practitioners with initial optimism reported a greater decrease in perceived training needs.
• Practitioner self-efficacy increased moderately, irrespective of perceived organizational capacity.

Conclusions:

• Positive shifts in practitioner perceptions of EBPs can promote their systematic community-wide adoption.
• Enhanced practitioner attitudes and reduced training needs contribute to the successful and sustained implementation of family support programs.
• The findings support the potential for widespread benefit to families through effective EBP implementation.