Counselor Turnover in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Research: Observations from One Multisite Trial. Issue 2 (April 2019)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Counselor Turnover in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Research: Observations from One Multisite Trial. Issue 2 (April 2019)
- Main Title:
- Counselor Turnover in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Research: Observations from One Multisite Trial
- Authors:
- Hatch-Maillette, Mary A.
Harwick, Robin
Baer, John S.
Masters, Tatiana
Cloud, Kasie
Peavy, Michelle
Wiest, Katharina
Wright, Lynette
Beadnell, Blair
Wells, Elizabeth A. - Abstract:
- Background: Counselor workforce turnover is a critical area of concern for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers and researchers. To facilitate the adoption and implementation of innovative treatments, attention must be paid to how SUD treatment workforce issues affect the implementation of clinical effectiveness research. Multiple variables have been shown to relate to turnover, yet reasons that are specific to conducting research have not been systematically assessed. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial testing a sexual risk reduction counselor training intervention, 69 counselors at 4 outpatient SUD treatment sites (2 opioid treatment programs [OTPs], 2 psychosocial) were enrolled and randomized to 1 of 2 training conditions (Standard vs. Enhanced). Study counselor and agency turnover rates were calculated. Agency context and policies that impacted research participation were examined. Results: Study turnover rates for enrolled counselors were substantial, ranging from 33% to 74% over approximately a 2-year active study period. Study counselor turnover was significantly greater at outpatient psychosocial programs versus OTPs. Counselor turnover did not differ due to demographic or training condition assignment. Leaving agency employment was the most typical reason for study counselor turnover. Conclusions: This secondary analysis used data from a multisite study with frontline counselors to provide a qualitative description of challenges faced whenBackground: Counselor workforce turnover is a critical area of concern for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers and researchers. To facilitate the adoption and implementation of innovative treatments, attention must be paid to how SUD treatment workforce issues affect the implementation of clinical effectiveness research. Multiple variables have been shown to relate to turnover, yet reasons that are specific to conducting research have not been systematically assessed. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial testing a sexual risk reduction counselor training intervention, 69 counselors at 4 outpatient SUD treatment sites (2 opioid treatment programs [OTPs], 2 psychosocial) were enrolled and randomized to 1 of 2 training conditions (Standard vs. Enhanced). Study counselor and agency turnover rates were calculated. Agency context and policies that impacted research participation were examined. Results: Study turnover rates for enrolled counselors were substantial, ranging from 33% to 74% over approximately a 2-year active study period. Study counselor turnover was significantly greater at outpatient psychosocial programs versus OTPs. Counselor turnover did not differ due to demographic or training condition assignment. Leaving agency employment was the most typical reason for study counselor turnover. Conclusions: This secondary analysis used data from a multisite study with frontline counselors to provide a qualitative description of challenges faced when conducting effectiveness research in SUD treatment settings. That counselors may be both subjects and deliverers of the interventions studied in clinical trials, with implications for differential impact on study implementation, is highlighted. We offer suggestions for researchers seeking to implement effectiveness research in SUD clinical service settings. … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Substance abuse. Volume 40:Issue 2(2019)
- Journal:
- Substance abuse
- Issue:
- Volume 40:Issue 2(2019)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 40, Issue 2 (2019)
- Year:
- 2019
- Volume:
- 40
- Issue:
- 2
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2019-0040-0002-0000
- Page Start:
- 214
- Page End:
- 220
- Publication Date:
- 2019-04
- Subjects:
- Counselor turnover -- effectiveness research -- SUD treatment clinical trials
Substance abuse -- Periodicals
Medical education -- Periodicals
Education, Medical -- periodicals
Substance Abuse -- periodicals
362.29 - Journal URLs:
- http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wsub20 ↗
https://journals.sagepub.com/home/SAJ ↗
http://www.tandfonline.com/ ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1080/08897077.2019.1572051 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0889-7077
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 8503.481000
British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 26555.xml