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Performance measures for substance use disorders--what research is needed?
Deborah W Garnick1, Constance M Horgan, Andrea Acevedo
1Institute for Behavioral Health, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA. garnick@brandeis.edu
Addiction Science & Clinical Practice
|November 29, 2012
Summary
Experts recommend developing new performance measures for substance use disorders research. They also suggest improving methods for using these measures and focusing on implementation research for accountability and quality improvement.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Substance Use Disorders Research
Background:
- A 2010 meeting convened experts to address research gaps in performance measures for substance use disorders.
- The meeting was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Purpose of the Study:
- To present recommendations for improving performance measures in substance use disorders.
- To identify research gaps and propose solutions in performance measurement.
Main Methods:
- A multidisciplinary expert group convened to discuss research gaps.
- Recommendations were formulated across three key areas.
Main Results:
- Recommendations focus on the development of new performance measures.
- Considerations for methodological and practical use of performance measures are outlined.
- Emphasis is placed on implementation research for accountability and quality improvement.
Conclusions:
- There is a need for enhanced performance measures in substance use disorders research.
- Improved methodologies and implementation strategies are crucial for quality improvement and accountability.
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