Policy Makers
Policy makers play an important role in the diffusion of evidence-based practices. Policy makers can facilitate the process by taking certain actions during each phase represented in the ATTC model as follows:
Development
- Provide objective information/data about current practices within the addiction field that can: 1) be used to determine which practices should be discontinued; or 2) be used as a point of comparison for testing new clinical practices.
- Encourage organizational quantitative and qualitative analysis of client outcomes.
- Establish an enduring and flexible infra-structure to foster bi-directional communication and promote the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in addiction services.
- Have a current and thorough understanding of the treatment system, the interventions that are utilized, and the outcomes being achieved.
Translation
- Be involved in a systematic approach to review available evidence and recommend changes in intervention and treatment strategies, as appropriate.
Dissemination
- Increase awareness of new service practices among individual practitioners, service provider organizations, and state agencies.
- Increase knowledge about effective implementation strategies.
- Encourage state universities with addiction studies programs to include evidence-based practices in curricula.
Adoption
- Remove policy and fiscal barriers that foster resistance to adopt new practices.
- Identify and connect relevant networks that may have a vested interest in using evidence-based practices.
- Create learning community cultures at state, regional and local levels.
- Support providers whenever possible by investing (funds, resources etc.) to assist providers who seek to adopt new practices.
Implementation
- For state contracted providers, set cost centers and provide reimbursement for clinical supervision service hours.
- Offer financial incentives for state-contracted providers' use of evidence-based practices, i.e. support a service reimbursement rate commensurate with the level of work required to implement new interventions.
- Track the utilization of specific practices among service providers.
- Provide cross-state trainings on EBPs when possible.
- Assist providers with implementation and fidelity strategies by having state-level staff and/or a cadre of consultants who are trained in specific evidence-based practices and can provide additional guidance.
