Title

Efficacy and effectiveness trials: Examples from smoking cessation and bullying prevention

Authors

James O. Prochaska, University of Rhode Island
Kerry E. Evers, Pro Change Behavior Systems Incorporated
Janice M. Prochaska, Pro Change Behavior Systems Incorporated
Deborah Van Marter, Pro Change Behavior Systems Incorporated
Janet L. Johnson, Pro Change Behavior Systems Incorporated

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-2007

Abstract

If health psychology is to maximize impacts on health, there will need to be a shift from relying primarily on efficacy trials to increasing reliance on effectiveness trials. Efficacy trials use homogeneous, highly motivated samples with minimal complications from a single setting receiving intensive treatments delivered under highly controlled conditions. Two effectiveness trials on bullying prevention illustrate the use of a heterogeneous population from multiple sites receiving a low intensity tailored treatment delivered under highly variable conditions. In spite of considerable noise the effectiveness trials produced robust results (odds ratios of about four) that bode well for population impacts under real-world dissemination. Copyright © 2007 SAGE Publications.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Health Psychology

Volume

12

Issue

1

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Prochaska, James O., Kerry E. Evers, Janice M. Prochaska, Deborah Van Marter, and Janet L. Johnson. "Efficacy and effectiveness trials: Examples from smoking cessation and bullying prevention." Journal of Health Psychology 12, 1 (2007): 170-178. doi: 10.1177/1359105307071751.