title: Addiction treatment staff perceptions of training as a facilitator or barrier to implementing evidence-based practices: a national qualitative research study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This qualitative effort examines training-related facilitators and barriers to implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs) in 285 community-based addiction treatment organizations (CBOs) nationwide that were funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (SAMHSA/CSAT) to implement EBPs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using qualitative interviews, the authors explored staff (N = 514) descriptions of training as a facilitator or barrier to implementation. Training-related factors were described 663 times as facilitators (by 440 staff) and 233 times as barriers (by 170 staff). Responses were coded using content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Specific characteristics of the training received, such as access to expert knowledge and quality, as well as ongoing training were described as central facilitating factors to EBP implementation. Key reasons training was perceived as a barrier included the amount of training; the training did not fit current staff and/or organizational needs; the training for some EBPs was perceived to be too demanding; and the difficulty accessing training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since government funders of addiction treatments require that CBOs implement EBPs and they provide training resources, the quality, flexibility, and accessibility of the available training needs to be promoted throughout the addiction treatment network. Only 17% of CBOs reported that they used the SAMHSA-funded ATTC (Addiction Technology Transfer Center) training centers and 42% used SAMHSA technical assistance. Hence, federally funded resources for training were not always used.
authors: a Center for Addictions Research & Services , Boston University School of Social Work , Boston , Massachusetts , USA.
authors: Melinda
authors: M
authors: D'Ippolito
authors: Lena
authors: L
authors: Lundgren
authors: Maryann
authors: M
authors: Amodeo
authors: Clelia
authors: C
authors: Beltrame
authors: Lynn
authors: L
authors: Lim
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Chassler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014482:United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
keywords: Addiction treatment; barriers; evidence-based practices; facilitators; training