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The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research

Published in:

01-01-2010 | Regular Article

Substance Abuse Treatment Organizations as Mediators of Social Policy: Slowing the Adoption of a Congressionally Approved Medication

Authors: Stanley S. Wallack, PhD, Cindy Parks Thomas, PhD, Timothy C. Martin, PhD, Jon Chilingerian, PhD, Sharon Reif, PhD

Published in: The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Most substance abuse treatment occurs in outpatient treatment centers, necessitating an understanding of what motivates organizations to adopt new treatment modalities. Tichy’s framework of organizations as being comprised of three intertwined internal systems (technical, cultural, and political) was used to explain treatment organizations’ slow adoption of buprenorphine, a new medication for opiate dependence. Primary data were collected from substance abuse treatment organizations in four of the ten metropolitan areas with the largest number of heroin users. Only about one fifth offered buprenorphine. All three internal systems were important determinants of buprenorphine adoption in our multivariate model. However, the cultural system, measured by attitude toward medications, was a necessary condition for adoption. Health policies designed to encourage adoption of evidence-based performance measures typically focus on the technical system of organizations. These findings suggest that such policies would be more effective if they incorporate an understanding of all three internal systems.

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Title: Substance Abuse Treatment Organizations as Mediators of Social Policy: Slowing the Adoption of a Congressionally Approved Medication
Authors: Stanley S. Wallack, PhD
Cindy Parks Thomas, PhD
Timothy C. Martin, PhD
Jon Chilingerian, PhD
Sharon Reif, PhD
Publication date: 01-01-2010
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 1094-3412
Electronic ISSN: 2168-6793
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-008-9132-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Substance Abuse Treatment Organizations as Mediators of Social Policy: Slowing the Adoption of a Congressionally Approved Medication

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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