Recorded presentation

Hannah K. Knudsen, PhD¹, Paul M. Roman, PhD², and Meredith Huey, MA². (1) Center for Research on Behavioral Health and Human Services Delivery, University of Georgia, 101 Barrow Hall, D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602, 7065426090, hknudsen@uga.edu, (2) Institute for Behavioral Research, University of Georgia, 101 Barrow Hall, D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602

Increasing attention is being paid to the diffusion, adoption, and implementation of evidence-based treatment for alcoholism and other drug dependence. However, there is comparatively little information on the structural characteristics of treatment organizations that facilitate or impede innovation adoption. In previous work, we have applied the concept of “absorptive capacity” to understanding treatment organizations’ ability to learn about and incorporate emerging treatment technologies into their routine clinical operations. Using data from the National Treatment Center Study that includes nationally representative samples of 400 private programs and 400 public programs, this paper extends our previous work to include a comparative analysis of innovation adoption in these two sectors. Three key components of absorptive capacity are measured: workforce professionalism, environmental scanning, and collection of satisfaction data. Statistical models assess the impact of these characteristics on the adoption and utilization of various behavioral treatment techniques and pharmacotherapies. Evidence is presented that treatment programs’ absorptive capacity is significantly predictive of overall levels of innovativeness, as well as the adoption of specific therapeutic approaches including naltrexone, buprenorphine, and motivational incentives. Systematic differences between the public and private sectors, and implications for program administrators, are discussed. (Supported by grant numbers R01-DA13110 and R01-DA14482 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse)

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