Citation
Ranjani K. Paradise, Ceylon Auguste-Nelson, Sharon Touw. “Using the Cascade of Care Model as a Framework for Evaluating Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Programs: Opportunities and Challenges”, Presented at the 2019 American Evaluation Association Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
Abstract
Many healthcare institutions are implementing or expanding medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs for opioid use disorder (OUD), and there is a growing need for corresponding monitoring and evaluation systems. The cascade of care model lays out key stages leading from OUD diagnosis to recovery, providing a framework for evaluating MAT programs. However, the reality of operationalizing this model is challenging, especially for organizations that have limited analytic and reporting capacity. Here, we describe our experience applying the cascade of care model to the evaluation of four community-based OUD treatment programs that are seeking to improve access to MAT for the populations at highest risk of overdose and death. We discuss challenges related to identifying measure definitions that work across multiple settings, data access, and data quality. We also share strategies for applying the OUD cascade of care model in a feasible, context-appropriate manner that facilitates program evaluation and improvement.
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