The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61082

Judy Y. Huang, PhD¹, Susan W. Hayashi, PhD², Susan M. Hubbard, PhD², Anita Cobb, BA², and Kevin P. Mulvey, PhD³. (1) Johnson, Bassin, & Shaw, Inc., 8630 Fenton Street, 12th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (2) Johnson, Bassin & Shaw, Inc., 8630 Fenton Street, 12th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (301) 495-1080 x3016, shayashi@jbs1.com, (3) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockwall II Suite 840, Rockville, MD 20857

CSAT's evaluation of the Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIPs) found that substance abuse treatment providers like TIPs and consider them to be credible, research-based, and relevant. However, treatment providers indicated they needed help to implement the best practice guidelines contained in TIPs. This study's objectives were: (1) to examine how substance abuse treatment programs implement the best practices contained in TIP #35, Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Abuse Treatment, and (2) to examine the systematic implementation of Motivational Interviewing (MI) by treatment programs. Roger's (1995) diffusion theory provided the framework for this study. A case study methodology was employed in this two phase evaluation. In the first phase, five SA treatment programs were interviewed to determine how they currently implement best practices contained in TIP #35. In Phase 2, technical assistance (TA) was provided to facilitate program implementation of TIP #35's best practices. Baseline and follow-up data collection was collected. Phase 1 results indicate many treatment programs do not have systematic methods for implementing or evaluating best practices and encounter challenges when trying to do so. Phase 2 results indicate moderate change in counselors' knowledge of and attitudes towards best practices. Diffusion research indicates adoption of best practices occurs over an extended period of time (Rogers, 1995). Two months between TA completion and follow-up data collection may not have been sufficient time for full integration of best practices to occur at both the counselor and organizational levels. Implications, lessons learned and recommendations will be provided for both researchers and practitioners.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants (the learner) in this session will be able to (
• articulate what procedures substance abuse treatment programs currently use to implement best practice guidelines. (
• develop a systematic implementation plan for best practice guidelines such as those contained in TIP #35, Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Abuse Treatment (
• develop an evaluation plan that examines the implementation of best practice guidelines.

Keywords: Evaluation, Practice Guidelines

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.