CASPAR: Computer-Assisted System for Patient
Assessment and Referral

Designated an Evidence-Based Practice on SAMHSA’s
National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP)

CASPAR is a technology-enhanced process developed by the Treatment Research Institute (TRI) to help busy counselors assess and connect substance abuse patients to the auxiliary services they frequently need. In March 2010, CASPAR was designated an evidence-based practice by the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP). More.

As designated by NREPP, CASPAR—the Computer-Assisted System for Patient Assessment and Referral - consists of the widely used DENS™ ASI assessment software along with an electronic resource guide helping counselors quickly locate the services substance abuse treatment patients may need to improve prospects for recovery. Examples include agencies that help with drivers’ license applications, write a resume, offer a job bank, or find affordable housing.

Announcement of the NREPP designation coincided with TRI release of CASPAR-C™, software complementing the already available DENS ASI software. More on DENS™. CASPAR-C adds the connection component for program staff wanting to get started building their own database of services available to patients in their area. More on CASPAR-C™.

CASPAR was shown effective in a Philadelphia study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). For that study, the TRI team started with an adaptation of the Electronic Edition of the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania's First Call for Help directory.

“Although we used the DENS™ ASI software along with our CASPAR Resource Guide in the Philadelphia study, any system is sufficient if it accurately assesses clients’ problems across various life domains (personal health, drug use, employment, legal, family, etc.) and is paired with a process helping match needs to free or low-cost services already available in a client's community,” said Deni Carise, Ph.D., leader of the TRI team that developed CASPAR.

“Automating processes like these through technology is vital given the considerable time demands on clinical staff in the nation’s treatment programs,” Carise added.

For more information about CASPAR or creating a similar system for your locality, contact Meghan Love at TRI at mlove@tresearch.org.

CASPAR
Main Page

NREPP Listing

DENS™
ASI-Based Assessment Software

CASPAR-C™
Problem-Services Matching:
Getting Started

Trainings

Research Summary
CASPAR Study

CASPAR Developers
Deni Carise, Ph.D.
Meghan Love
Van Lam