CFS News Friday, October 26, 2007

Dean Fixsen Invited to Speak at Stockholm Conference on Implementation Research

Dean Fixsen at Lejondal Castle in Stockholm Sweden

FMHI’s Dean Fixsen recently returned from Sweden, where he was an invited speaker at the Stockholm Conference on Implementation and Translational Research. The conference, held October 15 – 16 on the beautiful grounds of Lejondal Castle, brought together an international group of researchers known for their expertise in implementation and translational research.

Invited speakers discussed a number of implementation strategies supporting the development of social work practices founded on best knowledge available.

“Much more is known about developing effective evidence-based intervention programs than about effectively implementing these programs,” said Dean Fixsen, co-director and founding member of the National Implementation Research Network housed within FMHI. “Many programs settle for policies and procedures that can be tracked on paper but have no effect, or do not create actual changes in practice that benefit the intended audience.”

Presenters at the Stockholm Conference on Implementation and Translational Research. Dr. Dean Fixsen is at the top right. Photos by Karen Blase.

Dr. Fixsen’s presentation profiled findings from an extensive review of research literature on implementation, and outlined six core components that drive successful programs.
Papers from all invited speakers will be published in an upcoming issue of Research on Social Work Practice, a professional social work journal that focuses on evaluation research and on validating methods of assessment in social work practice.