Efficient allocation of labor and other resources for substance abuse treatment depends on knowing the cost of alternative interventions. Counseling services are a major component of treatment costs, but there has been little comparison of the cost-effectiveness of alternative methods for delivering counseling services, such as in-person or telephone counseling. This study developed and assessed an instrument to track time spent on different counseling activities for patients in substance abuse treatment, and will link the results to outcomes for cost-effectiveness analyses. Study counselors at Providence, Rhode Island tracked their daily counseling activities--divided into six primary intervention categories--for a three-month period to obtain the total amount of counseling time spent on each activity. The annual cost of each primary intervention was determined by collecting cost data pertaining to personnel, telephone, training, supplies, travel, capital items and indirect costs and then allocating the costs among each of the intervention categories. The authors will discuss their methods, challenges to data collection and analysis and will present preliminary data analyses. Application of these methods to other counseling activities will be discussed and the advantages of this "micro costing" approach will be compared to other more "macro" costing methods.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participant (learner) will be able to discuss the development and application of time analysis instruments for personnel costing of substance abuse treatment services. In addition, the participant will be able to compare this method in terms of validity, effort, and usefulness to alternative approaches to cost measurement
Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Cost Issues
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.