Who Supports the Successful Implementation and Sustainability of Evidence-Based Practices? Defining and Understanding the Roles of Intermediary and Purveyor Organizations

Abstract

Research on implementation science has increased significantly over the past decade. In particular, psychologists have looked closely at the value and importance of bridging the gap between science and practice. As evidence-based practices (EBPs) become more prevalent, concrete mechanisms are needed to bring these scientifically supported treatments and interventions to community-based settings. Intermediary and purveyor organizations (IPOs) have emerged in recent years that specialize in bringing research to practice. Using a framework developed by Franks (), this descriptive study surveyed respondents that self-identified as IPOs and focused on identifying shared definitions, functions, and activities. Results indicated that seven descriptive roles previously identified were supported by this survey and many common shared activities, goals, and functions across these organizations were observed. Further, these organizations appear to be influenced by the growing field of implementation science. Limitations and implications of this study are discussed.

Understanding the supports needed for policy implementation: a comparative analysis of the placement of intermediaries across three mental health systems

“…It is important to note that some of the functions ascribed to intermediaries (e.g. [13]) may exist in other parts of the mental health systems of these jurisdictions. Those described below and used in the analysis are those that fit the definition most clearly and are the most recognisable form of intermediary from a mental health policy implementation perspective.…”

“…Most of the work done to date on intermediaries has been descriptive, often focused on their specific functions in systems. Scholars have identified many functions of intermediaries [12, 13] and some of the most commonly described functions include educating and stimulating interest in a policy or programme; assessing evidence and a policy or programme’s fit or feasibility in a certain context; linking knowledge generators and policy or programme developers with service deliverers; ensuring effective implementation and fidelity systems are developed and maintained; building capacity to implement well and integrate efforts to implement multiple initiatives; promoting the spread and scaling up of effective interventions; enabling quality improvement and quality assurance processes; and supporting policy and systems development.…”

Developing theories of change for social programmes: co-producing evidence-supported quality improvement

“…Received: 9 January 2018 Accepted: 11 June 2018 Notes 1 https://familylinks.org.uk/the-nurturing-programme 2 Purveyors are individuals or organisations that operate in the role of external experts to a provider implementing a particular programme. They support organisations, systems and practitioners in striving to adopt and implement that programme with fidelity and effectiveness (Oosthuizen and Louw, 2013;Franks and Bory, 2015) . 3 http://www.nurturingparenting.com/ 4 Campbell's Law (Campbell, 1979) famously asserts that quantitative measurementwith all the consequences that are typically attached to it-is apt to distort and corrupt the very social processes that are being measured.…”

OnTrackNY’s learning healthcare system

“…CPI is funded by the New York State OMH and is charged with identifying and disseminating evidence-based practices, to promote recovery for people with serious mental illnesses throughout the state. As an intermediary and purveyor organization [10,11], CPI promotes the implementation of evidence-based practices with fidelity and positive outcomes and seeks to build the capacity of providers and systems to implement and sustain best practice models. CPI thus serves to support this large network of OnTrackNY sites, operated by independent agencies and programs, within the structure defined by the State OMH.…”