Assessing program needs and planning change

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2007 Sep;33(2):121-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2006.12.028. Epub 2007 Apr 16.

Abstract

Assessments of treatment staff training needs, preferences, and barriers can help guide and improve training activities and transfer evidence-based technologies into clinical practice. The Texas Christian University (TCU) Program Training Needs (PTN) assessment consists of 54 items organized into seven domains: Program Facilities and Climate, Program Computer Resources, Staff Training Needs, Preferences for Training Content, Preferences for Training Strategy, Training Barriers, and Satisfaction With Training. Data collected from 589 counselors representing 194 treatment programs showed that the PTN was psychometrically sound and predictably associated with results from a more comprehensive assessment of organizational functioning. Importantly, fewer barriers to training and greater staff satisfaction with training were reported for programs with higher levels of organizational functioning. In addition to representing an efficient source of staff's perceptions about organizational operations and needs, the PTN empowers staff with a "voice" through which they can contribute to strategic planning and priority setting for organizational actions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Counseling
  • Curriculum
  • Health Planning
  • Health Services Needs and Demand*
  • Humans
  • Inservice Training
  • Needs Assessment
  • Patient Care Planning
  • Program Evaluation
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy*