Practitioners' Attitudes concerning Evidence-Based Guidelines in Belgian Substance Abuse Treatment

Background/Aim: Evidence-based guidelines for substance abuse treatment are available in many European countries. In Belgium, no such guidelines have been developed yet at a national level although their need has repeatedly been emphasized. This study aims to assess Belgian practitionersU+2019 attitudes concerning evidence-based guidelines for substance abuse treatment. Methods: A survey was conducted with clinical coordinators in a representative sample of 60 agencies dispensing specialized treatment to alcohol and drug abusers. Results: The study revealed that evidencebased guidelines are rarely used in substance abuse treatment in Belgium, but that many agencies use self-developed guidelines. The attitude concerning evidence-based guidelines is mainly positive. PractitionersU+2019 concerns mostly relate to the risk of disregarding their clientsU+2019 needs and the constraining character of using evidence-based guidelines. The study also reveals some barriers concerning the implementation of evidence-based guidelines and suggests some strategies to overcome them. Conclusion: Practitioners appear to be prepared to work with evidence-based guidelines. When developing, adapting and implementing evidence-based guidelines for substance abuse treatment, it is important for policy makers to take into account the state of the art in clinical practice as well as practitionersU+2019 needs and requirements.

Publication year:2009

Accessibility:Closed