1. Systems Approach Workbook A Systems Approach to Substance Use Services and Supports in Canada
Communication Tools: Sample PowerPoint presentation
The original template text for this file, as well as other useful material, is available in the Tools & Templates section of the Systems Approach website ( Production of this material has been made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
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2. Outline Background Why pay attention to the treatment system?
Systems Approach recommendations
Tiered Model
Systems Approach implementation
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3. Background
Treatment is one of 13 priorities under the National Framework for Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and Other Drugs and Substances
40+ National Treatment Strategy Working Group members were tasked with producing recommendations toward “improving the quality, accessibility and range of options to treat harmful substance use, including substance use disorders”
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4. Background (cont’d)
The Working Group released its report in October 2008
The report makes 20 system- level recommendations to
Improve the quality, range and accessibility of services and supports
Close the gap between “need” and “response”
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5. Why Pay Attention to the Treatment System?
Treatment for problematic substance use works and is an efficient use of resources
Substance use problems drive health and social costs beyond the addictions treatment field
Substance use is a major contributor to chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes
There are large gaps in service and barriers to accessing the help people need
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6. Systems Approach Recommendations
Develop a continuum of services and supports
Improve care, coordinate services and make better use of existing investments by shifting the focus toward integrated, community-based care rather than specialized care
Look at the system using a tiered framework representing logical groupings of services and supports and varying levels of risk and harm
Develop knowledge exchange capacity
Promote evidence-informed policy and practice
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7. Systems Approach Recommendations
Reduce stigma and discrimination
Develop a targeted, evidence-based approach
Increase the understanding of substance use problems and the treatment system to reduce the barriers faced by those who might access the system and those who work within it
Develop a research program
Support and enhance efforts to build system capacity
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8. Systems Approach Recommendations
Measure and monitor system performance
Collect information in a consistent way to inform and monitor system improvements
Promote leadership and implementation
Coordinate allocation of resources
Develop collaborations across systems and sectors
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9. Tiered Model: A Service Perspective
Each tier represents a cluster of services and supports that
Respond to varying levels of risk and harm
Address problems of similar severity and provide services of similar intensity and specialization
Movement within and across tiers is facilitated
In a comprehensive continuum, each tier has the tools, resources and supports required to meet population needs
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10. Tiered Model: A Service Perspective
Lower-tier services and supports
Meet the needs of the greater number of people
Represent a higher level of community integration and lower degree of specialization
Upper-tier services and supports
Meet the needs of people with more severe substance use issues
Represent a higher level of specialization
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11. Tiered Model: A Population Perspective
Tiers represent groupings according to levels of individual risk and harm
Movement through connected tiers is facilitated as individual needs and risk/harm profiles change over time
Five Tiers
1: Individuals with low risk/harm
2: Individuals with moderate risk/harm
3: Individuals at risk of acute harm
4: Individuals experiencing harm
5: Individuals experiencing harm and with complex risk profiles (e.g., concurrent disorders)
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12. Tiered Model: Guiding Principles
No wrong door
Availability and accessibility
Matching
Choice and eligibility
Flexibility
Responsiveness
Collaboration
Coordination
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13. Benefits of the Tiered Model
Flexible
Responds to the particular needs of Canada’s jurisdictions and populations, but…
Based on common principles that can be applied in any context
Promotes the efficient use of resources
Emphasis on developing capacity in the lower tiers rather than relying on more resource-intensive, specialized services
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14. Variations of the Tiered Model
Variations of the Tiered Model can be found in
Healthy Minds, Healthy People: A Ten-Year Plan to Address Mental Health and Substance Use in British Columbia (2010)
The Action Plan for Mental Health in New Brunswick, (2011)
Creating Connections: Alberta’s Addiction and Mental Health Strategy (2011)
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15. Systems Approach: Rationale for Change
EXAMPLES OF WHAT TO INCLUDE:
The reasons improvements are needed in your jurisdiction; for example:
Responding to or proactively addressing
New research evidence
Population trends
An emerging problem
An identified gap
The ways areas that are working well can support and be supported by system change
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16. Systems Approach: Rationale for Change
EXAMPLES OF WHAT TO INCLUDE:
Address benefits to
The clients
The services
The practitioners
The system
Cost savings associated with earlier intervention
Reduced reliance on specialized, intensive services
Reduced health and social impact of substance use
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17. Systems Approach: Outcomes and Benefits
EXAMPLES OF OUTCOMES AND BENEFITS:
[TO BE CUSTOMIZED]
Increased partnerships and coordination between services
Improved client outcomes through increased access to appropriate services
Increased capacity to identify and address gaps in the service continuum
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18. Systems Approach: Work to Date
EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITIES: [TO BE CUSTOMIZED]
Examined provincial strategy for consistency and guidance
Examined strategic plans for consistency with the Systems Approach
Identified areas of the system that need improvement or are working well
Identified benchmarks through provincial reports and national indicators (e.g., CIHI, National Treatment Indicators)
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19. Systems Approach: Decisions Required
[TO BE CUSTOMIZED]
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20. Systems Approach: Next Steps
[TO BE CUSTOMIZED]
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21. Additional Information
[ADD RELEVANT REGIONAL LINKS]
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