treatment integrity
The degree to which an intervention is implemented as designed and intended in the research protocol or treatment manual.
Full Definition
Treatment integrity, also known as procedural integrity or implementation fidelity, refers to the extent to which therapeutic interventions are delivered according to their specified protocols, procedures, and theoretical principles. This concept encompasses both adherence (following prescribed procedures) and competence (skillful delivery). High treatment integrity is essential for determining whether observed outcomes can be attributed to the intervention itself rather than to variations in implementation. Poor treatment integrity threatens both internal validity in research and treatment effectiveness in clinical practice.
Usage
Usage note: Often confused with 'treatment fidelity' - some sources use them interchangeably while others distinguish integrity as broader concept.
In Context
- "The study's treatment integrity data showed 95% adherence to the intervention protocol across all therapists." — Research manuscript
- "Regular supervision and fidelity checks are necessary to maintain treatment integrity in community mental health settings." — Quality assurance report