Fidelity Defined
What is Fidelity?
Fidelity refers to the extent to which planned procedures, activities, and roles are implemented in the way they were originally intended. Fidelity serves as a measure of fit between the planned procedures of an EBP and the actual procedures that ensue.
Implementation fidelity is the extent to which an EBP is delivered as it was intended by the program developers. When implementing programs in real-world settings, it is often impossible to implement them with 100% fidelity as some modifications (adaptations) are generally required to suit population needs and context.
Five common components of fidelity are as follows:
- Adherence: Delivering the EBP the way it was created without changing its components
- Exposure: The dosage or amount of the program being delivered including number, frequency, and length of sessions
- Quality of Delivery: How thorough the program delivery is including preparation and enthusiasm
- Participant Responsiveness: The engagement and receptiveness of program participants
- Program Differentiation: The uniqueness that an EBP brings to distinguish differences from other programs
Why Fidelity Matters
Implementing EBPs with fidelity will increase the likelihood of delivering an effective program. When programs are implemented without fidelity they are often ineffective, yielding no positive outcomes and sometimes harmful outcomes. This can waste valuable time and resources for the program staff as well as the participants.
Monitoring fidelity will be helpful for your implementation team to ensure your program is being implemented as intended. Moreover, this process can help diagnose program failures and help identify specific program components that may need more support or resources.
Fidelity: A Deeper Dive
How Do I monitor Fidelity?
Monitoring implementation fidelity will look different depending on the program being delivered. Many EBPs provide fidelity monitoring checklists to be completed by the internal implementation team or by a member of the EBP technical assistance staff.
Refer to our Fidelity Checklists & Logic Models page for a list of fidelity checklists for some commonly used EBPs. When implementing EBPs that do not provide a fidelity checklist, please consider using the generic fidelity checklist designed by the PRC.
Fidelity Monitoring Tip Sheet by the Office of Population Affairs.
Fidelity Monitoring Tip Sheet by USA Department of Health and Human Services.