Toward evidence-based transport of evidence-based treatments: MST as an example

This article describes the journey toward evidence-based transport and implementation in usual care settings of Multisystemic Therapy (MST) for youth with drug abuse and behavioral problems (Henggeler, Schoenwald, Borduin, Rowland, & Cunningham, 1998). Research and experience informing the design of the MST transport strategy, progress in evaluating its viability and validity, and implications for future research are described. Findings from transportability research indicate that the MST transport strategy supports the cultivation of therapist, supervisor, and consultant adherence in usual care settings; that such adherence is a consistent predictor of short- and long-term outcomes in such settings; and that clinician and organizational factors also affect adherence and outcomes. These findings have important implications for the transport of other evidence-based practices to usual care settings.