Implementing ASI and other instruments to professionalize treatment across national borders: Experiences from the IPTRP project

Abstract

This paper describes experiences of implementing different standardized assessment tools for research and treatment needs in 29 residential treatment centres in nine countries in Europe, within the IPTRP (Improving Psychiatric Treatment in Residential Programs for emerging dependency groups). Four instruments were obligatory for all centres participating: the EuropASI, the SCID, the Maastricht Social Network Analysis MSNA and the BioMAPS. The implementation process was prolonged, since extensive and repeated training was needed and the instruments had to be translated and adapted, and comparability in data discussed. The data collection had to deal with both coding and language problems before any analysis could be made. The experiences show several prerequisites for the success of this kind of project: an understanding of the treatment framework as a system, to anticipate and plan for problems and blockages; active involvement of staff in the project and intensive training, consultancy and support.

• Residential addiction treatment
• assessment instruments
• comparative study