Measurement-Based Care (MBC) is an evidence-based approach that involves routinely collecting client health data using validated measurement tools. It has the potential to transform how we understand and improve long-term outcomes for people with substance use and concurrent disorders.
People in treatment can track symptoms and progress over time. Clinicians can gain real-time insights to help them develop and adjust treatment decisions. Service providers and health systems can evaluate treatment effectiveness and quality improvement.
Together with Homewood Research Institute (HRI) and the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research (PBCAR), we hosted a National Symposium to build a Canadian agenda for MBC in the treatment of substance use and concurrent disorders. This is just part of our work to expand the use of MBC to improve outcomes and quality care.
We have supported this work since 2021, in an effort to standardize care across Canada, and ensure services and supports are helping people reach their desired health outcomes in a meaningful way. We are now collaborating with HRI and PBCAR to scale an initiative that implemented a progress-and-outcome monitoring (POM) system across six treatment systems in Ontario.
An implementation toolkit based on that project is now available. To learn how to start a POM system, which facilitates MBC, check out the MBC Implementation Toolkit from HRI and partners.
Featured Resource
Measurement-Based Implementation Toolkit
Gives healthcare providers in bed-based treatment settings step-by-step instructions on how to start or expand a progress-and-outcome monitoring (POM) system, which facilitates measurement-based care (MBC).
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Guidance, Tools and Resources
CCSA produces research-based publications, tools, and resources to support evidence-based decision-making on substance use health issues. Select your area of interest from the six categories below:
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Substances
Delve into key resources on commonly used substances, such as alcohol, cannabis, opioids, stimulants and psychedelics. Learn about their effects, usage patterns, associated health and social consequences, and harm reduction considerations
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Personal and Societal Impacts
Get insights on the personal and societal impacts of substance use and addiction , including gambling and impaired driving, and their effects on health, safety, and social well-being. Learn about effective prevention and harm-reduction strategies in various sectors.
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Communities
Communities share common interests, values or goals, and interact with one another to build relationships and help networks. These materials support more inclusive, equitable, and community-informed responses to substance use and addiction. Dive into resources highlighting people with lived and living experience, stigma, sex- and gender-based analysis, Indigenous Peoples, and housing.
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Treatment and Prevention
Explore medical, psychological, and social approaches aimed at helping individuals avoid or recover from substance use disorders. Get the facts on public health topics and learn about collaborative efforts to reduce stigma and promote more equitable, inclusive responses to substance use.
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Youth
Learn about factors influencing substance use in young people, including childhood trauma and brain development, and get tools to support adult allies in leading meaningful, evidence-informed conversations with youth. Content promotes early prevention, harm reduction and supportive environments for youth up to age 25.
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Substance Use and the Workplace
Substance use has a significant impact on the workplace, potentially affecting safety, productivity and employee well-being. Explore research on substance use in various industries. Resources support workplace leaders in building more supportive, stigma-free environments through practical strategies, improved approaches and initiative-taking education.
