THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL
SUPPORT ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION
PROCESS: A NARRATIVE
REVIEW
0
, Introduction
The healthcare sector is one of the most critical sectors in any society. It is responsible for
providing healthcare services to the population and improving the quality of life of individuals
(Garell et al., 2016). Technological advancements have revolutionized the healthcare industry
(Wilson et al., 2022), leading to improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and
increased access to healthcare services (Gopal et al., 2019; Lee & Yoon, 2021). As a result,
implementing innovations in the healthcare sector is considered essential to ensure that
healthcare providers can meet the growing demand for healthcare services, deliver high-
quality care, and improve patient outcomes (Jacobs et al., 2018). By embracing innovations,
healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes, increase efficiency and productivity,
reduce costs, and ultimately, transform the healthcare sector (Lee & Yoon, 2021).
The implementation process is a complex and challenging endeavor that involves
significant changes in practices, policies, and procedures. Implementers need to navigate
multiple barriers, such as resistance to change, lack of resources, and inadequate support, to
ensure successful outcomes (Ahuja & Khamba, 2008). Social support can provide
implementers with the necessary resources, encouragement, and feedback to overcome these
barriers and achieve their goals (Eldredge et al., 2016; Fernandez et al., 2019). Social support
refers to the help, assistance, emotional backing, and encouragement people receive provided
by their social network during the implementation process (Mishra, 2020; Fleuren et al., 2004;
Fleuren et al., 2014). Shumaker and Brownell’s (1984) define social support as “any provision
of assistance, that is recognized by both the beneficiary and provider as advantageous to the
beneficiary’s welfare”. Social support can take various forms, such as tangible assistance,
emotional support, informational support, and appraisal support (House, 1981; Song et al.,
2021). Implementers require the different types of social support to overcome barriers and
achieve their goals.
The purpose of this narrative review is to examine the existing literature on social
support and its effects on the success of implementation in various settings. Specifically, this
review aims to synthesize the evidence on how social support can facilitate or hinder the
successful implementation process. By identifying the factors that influence the relationship
between social support and implementation outcomes, this review can provide insights into
how practitioners and policymakers can leverage social support to enhance implementation
effectiveness. Ultimately, this review seeks to contribute to the development of a more
1
SUPPORT ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION
PROCESS: A NARRATIVE
REVIEW
0
, Introduction
The healthcare sector is one of the most critical sectors in any society. It is responsible for
providing healthcare services to the population and improving the quality of life of individuals
(Garell et al., 2016). Technological advancements have revolutionized the healthcare industry
(Wilson et al., 2022), leading to improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and
increased access to healthcare services (Gopal et al., 2019; Lee & Yoon, 2021). As a result,
implementing innovations in the healthcare sector is considered essential to ensure that
healthcare providers can meet the growing demand for healthcare services, deliver high-
quality care, and improve patient outcomes (Jacobs et al., 2018). By embracing innovations,
healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes, increase efficiency and productivity,
reduce costs, and ultimately, transform the healthcare sector (Lee & Yoon, 2021).
The implementation process is a complex and challenging endeavor that involves
significant changes in practices, policies, and procedures. Implementers need to navigate
multiple barriers, such as resistance to change, lack of resources, and inadequate support, to
ensure successful outcomes (Ahuja & Khamba, 2008). Social support can provide
implementers with the necessary resources, encouragement, and feedback to overcome these
barriers and achieve their goals (Eldredge et al., 2016; Fernandez et al., 2019). Social support
refers to the help, assistance, emotional backing, and encouragement people receive provided
by their social network during the implementation process (Mishra, 2020; Fleuren et al., 2004;
Fleuren et al., 2014). Shumaker and Brownell’s (1984) define social support as “any provision
of assistance, that is recognized by both the beneficiary and provider as advantageous to the
beneficiary’s welfare”. Social support can take various forms, such as tangible assistance,
emotional support, informational support, and appraisal support (House, 1981; Song et al.,
2021). Implementers require the different types of social support to overcome barriers and
achieve their goals.
The purpose of this narrative review is to examine the existing literature on social
support and its effects on the success of implementation in various settings. Specifically, this
review aims to synthesize the evidence on how social support can facilitate or hinder the
successful implementation process. By identifying the factors that influence the relationship
between social support and implementation outcomes, this review can provide insights into
how practitioners and policymakers can leverage social support to enhance implementation
effectiveness. Ultimately, this review seeks to contribute to the development of a more
1
