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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
4171.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - Board 2

Abstract #105618

Relating substance abuse counselor background to the provision of clinical tasks

Jeffrey R.W. Knudsen, MA1, Steven L. Gallon, PhD2, and Roy M. Gabriel, PhD1. (1) RMC Research Corporation, 522 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Suite 1407, Portland, OR 97204, 503-223-8248, jknudsen@rmccorp.com, (2) Oregon Health and Sciences University, Dept. of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Northwest Frontier Addiction Technology Transfer Center, 810 D Street NE, Salem, OR 97301

This study, conducted in the context of a Pacific Northwest needs assessment, examined the diverse academic and professional background characteristics of substance abuse treatment counselors, relating these characteristics to the work counselors are doing. Data was collected via a workforce needs assessment survey. The final sample was comprised of 450 substance abuse counselors from 159 treatment agencies across the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. Results indicate that while academic and professional background characteristics differentiate whether counselors perform certain clinical tasks or not, they do not differentiate the amount of time they spend doing them. In fact, regression analyses indicate that academic and professional background characteristics currently account for less than 10% of the total variability associated with how counselors spend their time. While meager, the best predictors of individual work tasks appear to be more contextual in nature. The fact that academic and professional background characteristics did not differentiate counselors in terms of time spent on specific clinical responsibilities raises some questions regarding the quality of client care. Results also indicate that the knowledge and skill sets needed for counselors to be effective may vary according to the treatment setting.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Workforce

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Substance Abuse Treatment Services Research and Descriptive Studies Poster Session

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA