The Importance of Fidelity in Community Based Interventions

At Benchmarks, fidelity in training and training development is paramount. Our Center team conducts tests of change projects across North Carolina communities, and the key to their long-term success lies in our effective training programs.?We strive to maintain fidelity in all our projects. However, recognizing that it's impractical to conduct tests of change in every community, we've developed comprehensive trainings to disseminate the insights we've gained.?

?Sustainability is a critical factor in our projects, and it hinges on robust training programs. Our experience with various test of change projects and training initiatives across the state has taught us that high fidelity is essential for effective training programs. We emphasize fidelity because it underpins sustainability, enabling us to train both internal and external trainers effectively. This focus on fidelity and sustainability drives long-term, meaningful change. Without a thorough understanding of a project's purpose and components, its effectiveness diminishes over time, and fidelity declines.?

?Implementation fidelity refers to delivering an intervention, project, or program as intended. Understanding and measuring the fidelity of implementation helps us discern why and how something works or doesn’t work, improving outcomes. Research indicates that weakened fidelity might explain why interventions successful in controlled trials fail in real-life contexts.?Dr. Russell E. Glasgow highlights the importance of fidelity in implementation work:?“Fidelity is a key ingredient for the systematic implementation of evidence-based interventions in community settings. For larger scale dissemination of interventions to be effective, researchers need to understand the processes required to implement the intervention consistently and at a high level of quality, especially when different practitioners with different levels of expertise are implementing the intervention in different contexts” (Glasgow, Lichenstein, & Marcus 2003).?

?Standardizing training ensures project fidelity. Consistent training enables us to gather reliable data on what works and minimizes knowledge inconsistencies. Fidelity is crucial for project sustainability; standardized steps and information delivery yield better results. Consistent training reduces errors, ensuring future participants receive the same core principles and fostering a unified language among trained individuals and communities. This approach enhances long-term project sustainability.?

?The framework for implementation science, as outlined by Fixsen and colleagues (2005), includes ongoing coaching, supervision, performance evaluation, and facilitative administrative supports. Practitioner-level components include selection and training of practitioners.?Effective training for adult learners is essential, whether for on-the-job training, continuing education, or onboarding. However, maintaining fidelity in training ensures that the steps you take to achieve your goals are successful. Next month, we’ll explore how Benchmarks ensures fidelity in both training and training development!?

?

?

?

?

?

References

Fixsen DL, Naoom SF, Blase KA, Friedman RM, Wallace F. Implementation research: A synthesis of the literature. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, The National Implementation Research Network (FMHI Publication #231); 2005

Glasgow RE, Lichtenstein E, Marcus AC. Why don't we see more translation of health promotion research to practice? Rethinking the efficacy-to-effectiveness transition. American Journal of Public Health. 2003;93:1261–1267