The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60539

Ryan D'Ambrosio, MA¹, Katherine E. Laws, BA¹, Roy M. Gabriel, PhD¹, Patrick J. Moran, PhD, CADC II², and Pam Kelly³. (1) RMC Research Corporation, 522 SW Fifth Ave, Suite 1407, Portland, OR 97204-2131, (503) 223-8248, ryan_dambrosio@rmccorp.com, (2) Rainier School District, 73844 DeBast Road, Rainier, OR 97048, (3) Volunteers of America, 537 SE Alder, Portland, OR 97214

Through the CSAT-funded Oregon Practice Improvement Collaborative (OPIC) researchers and practitioners have engaged in the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation of Bridging the Gap between Research and Practice by joining forces in implementing an evidence-based practice within a community-based substance abuse treatment organization (CBO). The Motivational Interviewing (MI) Knowledge Adoption Study (KAS) used the 10-step organizational change process manualized in the CSAT/ATTC publication The Change Book: A Blueprint for Technology Transfer as guidance in the implementation process. Knowledge adoption and organizational change, however, are complex and multifaceted processes fraught with many potential barriers and challenges. The MI KAS utilized a Researcher in Residence (RIR) model as one method to proactively troubleshoot and resolve barriers and hurdles as they arose during the implementation process. The Researcher in Residence model employed in the MI KAS was quite different from the RIR models found in the literature in which a nationally renowned researcher conducts an intensive short-term site visit with a CBO and then provides feedback based on what was learned in that two or three day “residency.” In contrast, the RIR model of the MI KAS was designed to encourage a long-term relationship and connection between the CBO and the research team by placing a researcher in the CBO weekly over an extended implementation period. This poster will present lessons learned and insights into the RIR model used in the OPIC and how this RIR model has the potential to reduce barriers to knowledge adoption and organizational change within CBOs.

Learning Objectives:

After reading the poster, a participant should be able to:
• Describe the Researcher in Residence model and how it can be used to help bridge the gap between research and practice in substance abuse treatment.
• Learn about and identify tools and strategies that can be used when implementing new practices within organizations or otherwise trying to create organizational change.
• Learn insights from the Oregon PIC from it's attempts to help community-based treatment provider organizations implement Motivational Interviewing within their programs.

Keywords: Evidence Based Practice, Substance Abuse Treatment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.