Fast-tracking implementation through trial design: the case of buprenorphine treatment in Victoria.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated how a randomised controlled trial (RCT) could be designed to incorporate features known or thought likely to enhance the uptake of the new treatment into clinical practice post-trial.


RESULTS
Between 1999 and 2001, we trialled buprenorphine treatment for heroin dependence in community settings throughout Victoria, using 28 experienced methadone prescribers and 34 pharmacists across 19 sites. In this case study, we describe how we incorporated seven features considered important in treatment uptake: skilled and experienced practitioners, government and policy support, incentives to prescribe the new treatment, specialist support services, clinical guidelines, training programs and patient involvement and information. We also present information showing that uptake of buprenorphine treatment was substantially boosted in Victoria compared with other Australian jurisdictions immediately after the trial in 2001 and that this increase was sustained until at least 2006.


CONCLUSIONS
While we cannot prove that our trial design was responsible for the increased uptake of buprenorphine treatment in Victoria, we do show that design has been a neglected aspect of clinical trials in terms of enhancing post-trial uptake of the treatment being tested.


CONCLUSIONS
Those interested in closing the 'know-do' gap between research and practice may wish to further explore this very promising lead. Imaginative linking of features known to enhance treatment uptake to pressing research questions may lead to new information on efficacy, as well as getting valuable drugs into the treatment system more rapidly.
Bammer
Gabriele
G
National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Gabriele.Bammer@anu.edu.au
Ritter
Alison
A
Kutin
Jozica J
JJ
Lintzeris
Nicholas
N
D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010595:Pharmacists; D010820:Physicians; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055656:Prescriptions; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D013997:Time Factors; D014739:Victoria
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D002047:Buprenorphine