A longitudinal mixed methods evaluation of a facilitation training intervention to build implementation capacity.

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Organizational Psychology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Facilitators are crucial for implementing evidence-based interventions (EBIs) and building organizational capacity.
• Demand exists for skilled facilitators to enhance team collaboration and EBI implementation.
• The Building implementation capacity for facilitation (BIC-F) intervention was developed to meet this demand.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the BIC-F intervention on facilitators' perceived knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy.
• To assess the normalization of a systematic implementation model into facilitators' work routines and organizations.
• To understand the facilitators' capacity to implement EBIs effectively.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal mixed-methods design was employed.
• The BIC-F intervention involved six workshops for 37 facilitators.
• Data collection included pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and interviews, analyzed using descriptive/inferential statistics and deductive content analysis based on Normalization Process Theory (NPT).

Main Results:

• Participants showed increased perceived knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy post-intervention.
• Normalization of the systematic implementation model was in its early stages, with high coherence but underdeveloped NPT mechanisms.
• Organizations where normalization began were still working on stakeholder coherence and participation.

Conclusions:

• The BIC-F intervention positively impacted facilitators' perceived competence and value of systematic models.
• Consistent application of implementation models in routines and organizations requires further effort.
• Future interventions should offer long-term support, inter-level training transfer, and strategies to overcome contextual barriers.