Services research & the CTN: We keep getting better!

This presentation discusses the previous strategies and future trends of health services research in the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN). Services research requires a different type of laboratory, but services measures incorporated into clinical trials can enhance results, prepare for dissemination (cost and feasibility are key dimensions), and lead to additional research down the line (e.g., implementation science). New strategies employed by the CTN include incorporating health services research data points into the CTN protocols themselves, partnering health services researchers with CTN researchers, and defining health services questions of interest.

The CTN provides a rich lab for services research and NIDA is very interested in maximizing the use of this resource. By working collaboratively, health sciences and CTN researchers can continue moving forward and improving the process.