Integrated Care for drug users: Principles and practice
ANNEX 4B
The Use of Assessment Tools by Drug Services in Scotland
Study of the Nature and Extent of Application
Rome A.M. (2002)
ABSTRACT
This study explored the use of assessment tools and frameworks in Scottish treatment services working with adults with drug misuse problems. It provides an analysis of the range of assessment tools in use and compares how the circumstances of their actual use differ from the original intentions of the design.
The main aim of the study was to map the use of assessment tools in drug services in Scotland and to study the nature and extent of their application. There were a number of key objectives to the research. The objectives were to map and review existing research on assessment tools in the drug misuse field including their purpose, reliability, validity, strength and weaknesses. Further, research aimed to examine service provider's views on the application of the tools and the variation in the use of these tools across Scotland. A further objective of the study was to examine the reliability and validity of the tools with the aim of investigating the development of a core data set and a standardised assessment tool across drugs services in Scotland.
The research methods incorporate a data analysis of the current literature to identify assessment tools, their appropriate application and where the various tools are used both nationally and world-wide. An examination of the assessment tools used in Scottish Drug Services was investigated using a Survey Questionnaire. The type of information collated included both qualitative and quantitative data.
The results of this research suggest that there is a wide variation in the use of assessment tools. Significantly, the tools are not often used for their designated purpose. Further, respondents seemed to attach importance to the development of a common assessment tool, and core information gathering to develop more integration between drug services across Scotland.