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Measuring and Improving Cost, Cost-Effectiveness, and Cost-Benefit for Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

NCJ Number
191187
Author(s)
Brian T. Yates Ph.D.
Date Published
September 1999
Length
135 pages
Annotation
This manual describes several ways to determine cost effectiveness and benefits for substance treatment programs.
Abstract
This manual consists of 12 chapters, starting with definitions of various cost analyses and explaining their importance. The methodology used in the manual was based on a cost-procedure-process-outcome analysis (CPPOA) model. A suggested timetable breaks the measurement process into specific tasks, identifies who needs to be involved, and presents concrete assignments for each person on the data collection and analysis team. The manual then explains the model on which it was based and helped define a research program in terms of resources, procedures, processes, and outcomes. This exercise can reveal many things about a program, both its strengths and weaknesses. Detailed, step-by-step instructions and suggestions are given for collecting and analyzing data, collecting patient data, finding the cost-effectiveness of procedures, and processes, exploring cost benefits and using findings to improve programs. The final chapter gives a detailed illustration of how the CPPOA model was used by the staff and administrators of an actual substance abuse treatment program.