Dallefficacia

Dallefficacia is a neologism used in Italian-language evaluation discourse to denote the process by which the theoretical effectiveness of an intervention is realized in practice. The term combines dall' (from) with efficacia (efficacy/effectiveness) to highlight the transition from designed efficacy to actual performance in real-world settings.

Conceptually, dallefficacia encompasses the elements that determine whether an intervention works outside of controlled conditions, including fidelity to the program, dosage or intensity, scalability, adaptation to local context, reach, and sustainability. It distinguishes between efficacy (benefits under ideal conditions) and realized effectiveness, recognizing contextual factors, implementation quality, and stakeholder engagement as key determinants.

In practice, dallefficacia is studied with evaluation frameworks such as logic models and theories of change, and often employs mixed methods, combining quantitative outcome data with qualitative information about implementation processes, barriers, and enablers. Measurement focuses on process indicators (fidelity, dose, reach) and outcome indicators, interpreted within the program's context.

Applications span public health, education, social programs, and digital services. The concept relates closely to implementation science and realist evaluation, while inviting critique for potentially overlapping with existing terms like external validity and program effectiveness. Proponents argue that it provides a pragmatic lens for explaining why proven interventions fail to translate into expected results in routine practice.

See also: effectiveness, efficacy, implementation science, process evaluation, logic model, theory of change.