Summary

Introduction: The transfer and translation of programs with scientific evidence into clinical scenarios is often limited by a number of barriers to its application that complicates the realization of benefits for society that requires effective services.

Objective: To identify barriers to the adoption of short intervention programmes for treatment for abusive use of alcohol and other drugs.

Methods: It is a qualitative study with an intentional sample made up of 16 experts in transfer processes. In-depth interviews were conducted, transcribed and data were subjected to content analysis.

Results: The main barriers encountered in the technology transfer process for the adoption of the short intervention model for the care of substance abuse disorders were: bureaucratic and political procedures lack of knowledge of the theoretical basis of short interventions and the diversity of users who demand the service.

Discussion and conclusion: The process of transferring technology for the adoption of programs in clinical scenarios, requires a deliberate and joint effort, planned from the beginning to achieve the transfer. The barriers identified by the actors involved in the process themselves should be considered in the development of strategies for transferring short intervention programmes.