Improving the Replication Success of Evidence-Based Interventions: Why a Preimplementation Phase Matters

PurposeCareful scrutiny of the literature reveals that the preimplementation phase is often overlooked by researchers interested in understanding the portability of evidence-based interventions to other settings. In this paper we document the importance of preimplementation and the planning year in enabling adopters to identify and resolve potential implementation barriers.MethodsRoger's diffusion of innovation theory and tenets of technology transfer models are the heuristic frameworks used to guide the analysis of the preimplementation phase of an abstinence replication study.ResultsThe planning year allowed for the securing and consolidation of stakeholder support; preparing the organization for implementation; redressing issues with the intervention packet; responding to the cultural norms of the adopting community; fine tuning the training approach and addressing emergent challenges.ConclusionsPreimplementation provides adopters with opportunities to test the intervention before full implementation; and to identify and address potential threats to successful adoption.