title: Challenges substance abuse treatment agencies faced in adoption of computer-based technology to improve assessment.
abstract: The Oregon Practice Improvement Collaborative provided resources and technical assistance to help five Oregon drug treatment agencies adopt computer-based technology of their choice to support client progress in treatment. This manuscript describes agency processes related to that adoption of technology. Agencies chose computer programs to improve clinical outcomes, reduce staff burden, and respond to external pressures. Agencies used a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches to involve staff in decision making. Agencies guided staff from current practice to a standardized paper-and-pencil tool, then from the paper-and-pencil tool to its electronic version. Staff experienced barriers in technology-related training, logistical challenges in integrating the technology, and sustaining the technology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Box 100, New York, NY 10032, USA. jwisdom@pi.cpmc.columbia.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wisdom
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gabriel
authors.forename: Eldon
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Edmundson
authors.forename: Sarann
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bielavitz
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hromco
mesh_terms: D003199:Computer Systems; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009922:Oregon; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*