Background: A supportive context is essential for successful implementation processes. Localpoliticians are delivery system actors who might both enable and hinder the implementation ofhealth and social policies.
Aims and objectives: The study examines the relationship betweenperceived prerequisites and the type of actions taken by local political committees to support theimplementation of evidence-based practice in social services.
Methods: A cross-sectional web surveytargeting the chair and vice-chair of committees responsible for social services in Sweden (n=181).The data was analysed with regression analysis, cluster analysis and ANOVA.
Findings: Three clustersof action were identified (passive, neutral and active), capturing the reported actions taken by thecommittees to support implementation of EBP. The committees’ perceived prerequisites (capability,motivation, and opportunity) were highest in the active cluster and lowest in the passive cluster. Theclusters also differed regarding chair/vice-chair educational level, and type of municipality in whichthe chair/vice-chair were active.
Discussions and conclusion: The variation in reported actionsamong the committees to support the implementation of EBP implies that some social serviceorganisations might lack the contextual support they need for implementing EBP. The prerequisitesfor the committees might need to be strengthened with regard to capability, motivation andopportunity. This study is an indication of the relationship between committees’ prerequisites andtheir actions in the implementation of EBP, but further research is needed.