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Transporting a research-based adolescent drug treatment into practice
Howard A Liddle1, Cynthia L Rowe, Tanya J Quille
1University of Miami Center for Treatment Research on Adolescent Drug Abuse, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1400 N.W. 10th Avenue, 11th floor, Miami, FL 33136, USA. hliddle@med.miami.edu
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
|June 20, 2002
Summary
This study details adapting Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) for adolescent drug abuse into day treatment. The process used systems change principles for organizational and staff adaptation, ensuring effective treatment delivery.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Addiction Treatment
- Organizational Psychology
Background:
- Adolescent drug abuse requires effective, adaptable therapeutic interventions.
- Successful implementation of evidence-based treatments into clinical settings is challenging.
- Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) is an empirically supported treatment for adolescent substance abuse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the process of transferring Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) into an intensive day treatment program.
- To outline the key ingredients and systemic processes involved in this technology transfer.
- To analyze the adaptation of MDFT using organizational change principles.
Main Methods:
- Describing the conceptual and empirical basis for technology transfer efforts.
- Detailing the adaptation and transfer of MDFT within a day treatment setting.
- Analyzing critical events and processes using Simpson's organizational change model.
Main Results:
- The technology transfer involved a collaborative, multidimensional, systemic intervention.
- Organizational structures and staff attitudinal/behavioral patterns were targeted for change.
- The process was shaped by critical events and specific implementation strategies.
Conclusions:
- Adapting evidence-based family therapy requires a systemic approach to organizational change.
- The transfer of MDFT demonstrates a model for implementing complex interventions in new settings.
- Findings have implications for expanding technology transfer conceptualizations in mental health services.