| The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) prepares Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIPs) to facilitate the transfer of state-of-the-art guidelines for the substance abuse treatment and allied fields. Each TIP is developed by utilizing a consensus process that includes participation by acknowledged experts in the substance abuse treatment and allied fields. The dissemination of a TIP is the last step in its development process, which begins with the identification of a topic by the national TIPS Editorial Advisory Board, and ends with a TIP that reflects the state of the art of substance abuse and allied treatments used in public and private programs that are recognized for their provision of high quality and innovative treatment.; Using TIP #15, Treatment for HIV-infected Alcohol and Other Drug Abusers as a case example, this study examined the effects of certain variables on an organization's decision about adopting the TIP. Variables examined include the attributes of the TIP, the internal and external environmental characteristics of the organizations targeted to adopt the TIP, and the processes used by CSAT to disseminate the TIP to the substance abuse treatment and allied fields.; Focus groups and interviews were conducted with State Directors for Substance Abuse, representatives of treatment organizations, and clinicians. The policy recommendations for CSAT, listed at the end of the study, are intended to enhance use of TIPS by the substance abuse treatment and allied fields. |
