Education and Systematic Service Assessment through Technology and Research (ESTR) to improve the effectiveness of the Swedish Social Welfare System
Our national program ESTR implements and tests the effectiveness of a national education/technology support program (CET) targeting social workers who work with clients who have RSU/SUD. ESTR also includes and tests web-based supports to increase social worker capacity to provide timely services linked to client needs. CET aims to strengthen social worker competence, implementation of empirically supported methods (ESM) and improve their knowledge of addiction as a bio/psycho/social condition. Four research studies test CET related implementation and outcomes. Study 1 tests gains in social worker knowledge and confidence in use of ESMs. Study 2 tests whether CET participation resulted in increased use of client assessments/ follow-ups, other ESMs and use of web-based technology supports. Study 3 tests if increased use in ESMs changed client (n>40,000) outcomes.