Introduction
In the realm of special education and therapy services, implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs) is a crucial endeavor. However, the process is not just about the practices themselves but also about the social dynamics that facilitate their implementation. The research article "Implementation capital: merging frameworks of implementation outcomes and social capital to support the use of evidence-based practices" provides valuable insights into how social capital can be leveraged to improve implementation outcomes.
The Concept of Implementation Capital
The research introduces the concept of "implementation capital," which combines frameworks of implementation outcomes and social capital. This new framework distinguishes between two forms of social capital: bonding and bridging. Understanding these forms can help practitioners enhance their implementation strategies.
Bonding Social Capital
Bonding social capital refers to the close-knit relationships that foster trust and norm enforcement within a group. In the context of implementing EBPs, bonding social capital can influence outcomes such as acceptability, appropriateness, and adoption. Practitioners embedded in dense networks are likely to share norms and trust, which can either positively or negatively affect their perceptions of EBPs.
Bridging Social Capital
On the other hand, bridging social capital involves connections that span across different groups, facilitating access to diverse information and resources. This form of social capital is crucial for implementation outcomes related to feasibility and fidelity. Practitioners with bridging social capital can access a wider range of ideas and solutions, enhancing their ability to implement EBPs effectively.
Creating a Small World Network
The ideal scenario for implementation is a "small world network," where both bonding and bridging social capital coexist. This network structure allows for efficient information dissemination and robust community support, optimizing outcomes such as cost, penetration, and sustainability of EBPs.
Practical Applications
For practitioners, the implementation capital framework offers actionable insights:
- Foster professional learning communities to enhance bonding social capital, supporting outcomes like acceptability and adoption.
- Encourage connections with external experts to build bridging social capital, improving feasibility and fidelity.
- Strive to create small world networks within settings to balance both forms of social capital, optimizing cost and sustainability.
Conclusion
By understanding and applying the principles of implementation capital, practitioners can significantly enhance their ability to implement EBPs successfully. This framework not only clarifies the role of social capital in implementation but also provides a roadmap for leveraging social networks to achieve better outcomes.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Implementation capital: merging frameworks of implementation outcomes and social capital to support the use of evidence-based practices.
