Institutionalizing integrated treatment for concurrent disorders: creating new organizational discourse

The high overlap of mental health and substance use problems in the Canadian health care system and the subsequent demand for more effective services for clients with these high-risk issues have stimulated the debate on their integrated treatment. Although the idea of integration has been endorsed by decision makers at both programs and system levels, little attention has been paid to factors that have facilitated this process.

In this article, the processes by which organizational texts, language, metaphors, and symbols have facilitated institutionalization of integrated treatment are identified and discussed.

Findings from a qualitative case study of 2 treatment programs that were part of a large, urban hospital in Ontario providing services for populations with concurrent disorders are presented. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with professionals and clients, analysis of policy and organizational documents, and nonparticipant observations.

Research evidence on comorbidity, government reports, and other organizational texts that were created and disseminated across the province has contributed to the dissemination of the concept of integration. Certain ideas might be successfully implemented when environments are conducive to change; such environmental catalysts include the status of professionals who support new discourse, the characteristics and importance of the problem being addressed, and the timing of implementation. The findings clearly demonstrate that the conditions of the wider institutional environment-the emergence of research evidence on comorbidity and the provincial health care reform, with its focus on rationalizing the existing health care system-supported the idea of integration.

The ability to understand how discursive activities of program planners, clinicians, and policy makers contribute to making new ideas deeply embedded in organizational structures can become an important mechanism of effective decision-making activities when health managers attempt to promote new plans and strategies.