About the CTN DI Initiative
The CTN Dissemination Initiative aims to reduce the gap that exists between the publication of research on treatment of substance use disorders and implementation in clinical practice. It incorporates collaboration among clinicians, researchers, and experienced trainers to develop user-friendly tools and products to facilitate the adoption of research-based interventions into clinical settings. Explore this page for more information about the different components of the CTN Dissemination Initiative.
The CTN Dissemination Initiative is a component of the Clinical Trials Network within NIDA and works in collaboration with NIDAMED to develop products and disseminate those products to clinicians.
Products and Materials
In the addiction field, research is primarily translated into clinical practice through products and materials. We work with NIDA researchers and other experts to develop resources based on NIDA-supported research.
Screening
- The Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and other Substance Use (TAPS) Tool is validated for use with adults to generate a risk level for each substance class. It can be self-administered or conducted via clinician interview and combines screening and brief assessment of past 90-day problematic use into one tool.
- For validated online screening tools for adolescents, visit NIDAMED’s Screening Tools for Adolescent Substance Use. These tools will help you assess substance use disorder risks among adolescents 12-17 years old.
Health Professions Education
This course is an interactive “choose your own story” educational tool that allows participants to select a healthcare pathway which results in varying outcomes. To access the tool, providers will need to create an account. The American College of Emergency Physicians designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category CreditTM.
Open to: Emergency Physicians, Emergency Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Residents, Medical Students, Physician Assistants, Emergency Department Medical Directors, Hospital Administrators, EMTs/Paramedics, and other healthcare providers engaged in the practice of emergency medicine.
- Overdose Prevention Education for Clinicians Treating Patients with Opioids for Chronic Pain – Video from NIDA’s Center for the Clinical Trials Network
- Overdose Prevention Education for Clinicians Treating Patients for an Opioid Use Disorder – Video from NIDA’s Center for the Clinical Trials Network
- Learn about Initiating Buprenorphine Treatment in the Emergency Department and get step-by-step information, resources, discharge instructions, and videos.
- Engaging the Nursing Community in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder – Podcast from NIDA's Clinical Trials Network Dissemination Initiative
- Facts for Medication Treatment for OUD – Video from NIDA’s Clinical Trials Network Dissemination Initiative
- Collaborative Care Approaches for Management of OUD – Harvard Medical School Global Academy and NIDA’s Center for the Clinical Trials Network
- Identification, Counseling, and Treatment of OUD — Harvard Medical School Global Academy and NIDA’s Center for Clinical Trials Network
- Understanding Addiction – Harvard Medical School Global Academy and NIDA’s Center for Clinical Trials Network
Products & Materials from the Blending Initiative
Blending Teams, consisting of NIDA researchers, treatment practitioners, trainers from SAMHSA’s ATTC Network, NIDA staff, and subject matter and communications experts, work closely together to develop training curricula, manuals, tools, and other resource materials based on NIDA-supported research.
- Blending Initiative Motivational Interviewing (MI) CME/CE and Patient Simulation – Practical guidance for clinicians in effective MI techniques.
- HIV Rapid Testing in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs: Resources to Support On-Site Rapid Testing (2012)
- Buprenorphine Suite of Blending Products – Including training materials for addiction professionals, resources about buprenorphine for teens, and studies on opioid dependence and using buprenorphine during opioid withdrawal.
- Motivational Incentives Package: A Proven Approach to Treatment – Three user-friendly products to assist clinicians and researchers in utilizing and applying Motivational Incentives for treating substance use among patients.
- Motivational Interviewing Assessment: Supervisory Tools for Enhancing Proficiency (MIA:STEP) (2006)
- Treatment Planning M.A.T.R.S.: Utilizing the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) to Make Required Data Collection Useful (2005)
Meetings and Conferences
An important aspect of the CTN Dissemination Initiative involves Meetings and Conferences, where addiction researchers and treatment providers collaborate and exchange knowledge. These events may offer the following:
- CME/CE credit for various health professionals
- Skill-building workshops
- Lectures for audiences ranging from addiction professionals to emergency department physicians
- Opportunities to meet leadership and members of key organizations
- Partnership and collaboration opportunities
- Resource development
Mentored Training Awards
- A top priority of the CTN Initiative is establishing partnerships with professional organizations serving the addiction treatment communities. The Initiative aims to reach the full spectrum of healthcare professionals through activities in collaboration with other organizations, such as conferences, workshops, and specialty courses.
- A major facet of the Initiative’s efforts to maintain their partnerships is the distribution of resident mentorship opportunities that promote the early adoption and implementation of evidence-based substance use disorder treatment interventions in general healthcare settings.