A qualitative study of GPs' attitudes to drug misusers and drug misuse services in primary care

Abstract

Themes identified from the interviews reinforced the patterns of past research. GPs are becoming more confident and comfortable with misusers, and more positive towards methadone and methadone maintenance treatment, but still feel that they lack the necessary knowledge and skills.

How to overcome hurdles in opiate substitution treatment? A qualitative study with general practitioners in Belgium

“…First, the anxiety in GPs was the main factor to withhold them from accepting opiate users in their practice. [9,28,29] Second, the need for more support (hands-on guidelines and information) for treating these patients, which also confirms previous research in the UK. [9,27,29] Clarification of the practical implications of the regulatory conditions is needed to increase the willingness of GPs to engage in OST.…”

“…Previous research has pointed out that the willingness of GPs to treat opiate users depends on the attitude, behaviour and the motivation of the patients towards the treatment. [27,28] Our study discussed some relevant advantages for patients to receive OST in general practice instead of in the addiction centres. Since these are only a few results, further research is needed to know what patients' experiences are regarding OST in general practice.…”

Learning about general practice through qualitative interviews: Lessons from a seminar course with medical students

“…These include communication between patients, medical providers and caregivers, and their perspectives and views on their diagnosis and treatment (e.g. Pope & Mays 1995;Coleman 2000;Chew-Graham et al 2002;Jaye 2002;Pope et al 2002;McKeown et al 2003;Miller & Pinnington 2003;Parry et al 2004;Pilnick & Coleman 2006). Qualitative interviewing, focus groups, video-based analysis, and other methods of qualitative data collection and analysis have been increasingly used in General Practice in Germany since the 1990s, often with the aim of improving the quality of primary health care (Bahrs et al 1996;Brockmann et al 2004;Sielk et al 2004;Bahrs 2005;Wilm 2005).…”

Current practices and attitudes of family physicians toward substance use disorders in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi: a cross-sectional survey in primary care

“…6 Studies in the UK and the USA demonstrate that the attitude of the wider population of general practitioners to treating drug users is primarily negative. [7][8][9][10] In the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (EAD), Primary Healthcare Services (PHC) are delivered in an outpatient care setting. They are regulated by the Ambulatory Health Services which comes under an Abu Dhabi Health Services Company called SEHA, established to manage public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.…”