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Adapting Evidence‐Based Programs to New Contexts: What Needs to Be Changed?
Author(s) -
Smith Edward,
Caldwell Linda
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-0361.2007.00122.x
Subject(s) - adaptation (eye) , context (archaeology) , process (computing) , key (lock) , public relations , psychology , political science , medical education , medicine , computer science , geography , computer security , archaeology , neuroscience , operating system
Evidence‐based substance use prevention programs have proliferated in schools and are being adopted by districts in rural settings and internationally. Little attention, however, has been paid to the adaptation process that occurs when these programs are moved to different contexts. In this commentary, the authors draw upon their experience with program adaptation to identify 6 areas for consideration when school‐based programs are introduced in rural areas and in other countries. A key conclusion that emerges is that evidence‐based programs should not be changed randomly but should be modified based on a careful review of program content, the theoretical underpinnings involved, and the context of the new environment.