Lessons Learned in Translating Research Evidence on Early Intervention Programs Into Clinical Care

Abstract

There is research evidence describing quality early intervention programs that can promote positive child health and behavior and enhance parenting behaviors and parent-child interactions. Two of the programs with persuasive research evidence are home visitation and parent training. Despite the evidence, it seems that few of these strategies have been translated to real-world clinical settings. This article reviews an evidence-based practice framework that highlights the influence of the research evidence, patient preferences, provider expertise, setting-specific contextual factors, and important role of a facilitator. Examples from one particular early intervention project that implemented a standardized parent training program via home visiting the families of 2- to 6-year-old children help explicate the facilitators and pitfalls in translating best practices into the real-world settings. Strategies that can lead to successful implementation of early intervention child health and parenting best practices in real-world clinical settings are recommended.