title: Leadership and organizational change for implementation (LOCI): a randomized mixed method pilot study of a leadership and organization development intervention for evidence-based practice implementation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leadership is important in the implementation of innovation in business, health, and allied health care settings. Yet there is a need for empirically validated organizational interventions for coordinated leadership and organizational development strategies to facilitate effective evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation. This paper describes the initial feasibility, acceptability, and perceived utility of the Leadership and Organizational Change for Implementation (LOCI) intervention. A transdisciplinary team of investigators and community stakeholders worked together to develop and test a leadership and organizational strategy to promote effective leadership for implementing EBPs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 12 mental health service team leaders and their staff (n = 100) from three different agencies that provide mental health services to children and families in California, USA. Supervisors were randomly assigned to the 6-month LOCI intervention or to a two-session leadership webinar control condition provided by a well-known leadership training organization. We utilized mixed methods with quantitative surveys and qualitative data collected via surveys and a focus group with LOCI trainees.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quantitative and qualitative analyses support the LOCI training and organizational strategy intervention in regard to feasibility, acceptability, and perceived utility, as well as impact on leader and supervisee-rated outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LOCI leadership and organizational change for implementation intervention is a feasible and acceptable strategy that has utility to improve staff-rated leadership for EBP implementation. Further studies are needed to conduct rigorous tests of the proximal and distal impacts of LOCI on leader behaviors, implementation leadership, organizational context, and implementation outcomes. The results of this study suggest that LOCI may be a viable strategy to support organizations in preparing for the implementation and sustainment of EBP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA. gaarons@ucsd.edu.|Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA. gaarons@ucsd.edu.|Center for Organizational Research on Implementation and Leadership, San Diego, CA, USA. gaarons@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Gregory A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Aarons
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA. mehrhart@mail.sdsu.edu.|Center for Organizational Research on Implementation and Leadership, San Diego, CA, USA. mehrhart@mail.sdsu.edu.
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ehrhart
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA. lfarahnak@ucsd.edu.|Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA. lfarahnak@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Lauren R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Farahnak
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA. hurlburt@usc.edu.|School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. hurlburt@usc.edu.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hurlburt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010865:Pilot Projects