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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 Sep;43(5):768-782.
doi: 10.1007/s10488-015-0694-1.

The Effect of a Change Agent on Use of Evidence-Based Mental Health Practices

Sonya J Leathers  1 , Jill E Spielfogel  2   3 , Joan Blakey  2   4 , Errick Christian  2   5 , Marc S Atkins  6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The Effect of a Change Agent on Use of Evidence-Based Mental Health Practices

Sonya J Leathers et al. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2016 Sep.

Erratum in

Abstract

Children's service systems are faced with a critical need to disseminate evidence-based mental health interventions. Despite the proliferation of comprehensive implementation models, little is known about the key active processes in effective implementation strategies. This proof of concept study focused on the effect of change agent interactions as conceptualized by Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory on providers' (N = 57) use of a behavioral intervention in a child welfare agency. An experimental design compared use for providers randomized to training as usual or training as usual supplemented by change agent interactions after the training. Results indicate that the enhanced condition increased use of the intervention, supporting the positive effect of change agent interactions on use of new practices. Change agent types of interaction may be a key active process in implementation strategies following training.

Keywords: Child welfare; Children’s mental health services; Evidence-based practice; Implementation science.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean Provider Use in Past 30 Days by Condition
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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