User profile data, combined with information collected from practitioners who offer the Alcochoix+ program. Program users from eight regions, were used to meet the study's objectives, which were to:
The program was appealing to its targeted clientele.
- Verify that the implementation respects the "official" program framework: practitioners must: (a) possess counselling skills; (b) have beliefs compatible with the objective of controlled drinking and (c) be interested in this type of program.
- Compare the profile of the clientele reached with that of the targeted clientele: when training practitioners, instructors should emphasize the program's eligibility criteria and ensure that these are clearly understood.
- Verify the program's integration in Québec's health and social services system: the obstacles mentioned included the reorganization of addiction services, a lack of communication between the two levels of services and high staff turnover.
- Examine the level of satisfaction and relevance of training: until every region has its own instructors, temporary measures could be put in place such as greater flexibility regarding the minimum number of participants required for instructors to travel to a region and the development of a distance training mechanism or a regional coaching system.
- Identify the obstacles to implementation and possible solutions: The three main obstacles identified by study participants were: a) inadequate advertising and promotion; b) a lack of human and financial investment in the program, and c) high staff turnover at all levels.
In 2004, Alcochoix+ was tested on 112 users in four pilot regions. The program was appealing to its targeted clientele, and the feedback received from practitioners and users led to improvements in the program's content.
Main researcher: Louis-George Cournoyer, Université de Montréal
Original title: Évaluation d'implantation du programme Alcochoix+
