Training primary health care workers about drugs: a national survey of UK trainers' perceptions towards training

Abstract

Reports have consistently shown that non-specialist drug workers (whose working role is not specifically concentrated on dealing with drug-related issues) are reluctant to work with drug users. A number of explanations have been offered to account for this unwillingness including attitudinal factors, occupational constraints and a lack of motivation to learn about drug-related issues. Previously, it has been shown that training affects commitment to working with substance misusers, although failure to attract particular professional groups (e.g. general practitioners) into training courses has also been reported. No previous research has examined the views of trainers about training primary health care and health-related workers. This study of a (non-probability) sample of UK drug trainers (n = 145) assessed training activity for different health care workers, and trainers' differential perceptions of training needs and methods. GPs were the group least likely to become trained about drug issues. Training in attitudes towards drug using individuals was perceived to be more important than either skills or knowledge training for GPs, practice nurses, other nurses and probation officers. Experiential training methods were perceived to be more important than a didactic approach for training all health groups except GPs for whom lecture type instruction was believed to be equally appropriate. Seventy-nine percent of subjects reported providing training across drugs in alcohol or drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Most trainers who stated that certain professions required independent training believed that GPs should be trained separately from other groups.

Barriers to accessing generic health and social care services: a qualitative study of injecting drug users

“…1993), pharmacists (Sheridan & Barber 1996), and general nursing and maternity ward staff (Carroll 1993). Generic healthcare professionals can also be reluctant to work with drug users because they believe that it is beyond their remit, feel insufficiently skilled, are disillusioned by poor treatment outcomes, or are physically afraid (Greenwood 1992, Albery et al . 1996).…”

Evaluation and Comparison of Short Form Methadone Maintenance Treatment Training Courses Among Iranian General Physician and Psychologist Participants

“…Negative attitudes and negative emotional reactions have reported among GPs in primary care settings (Glanz, 1993; Greenwood, 1992; Jacka, Clode, Patterson, & Wyman, 1999; Roche, 1997; Roche, Guary, & Saunders, 1991; Roche, Hotham, & Richmond, 2002; Zweben, 1991), psychiatrists (Tantam, Donmall, Webster, & Strang, 1993), and clinical psychology doctoral students (Mundon, Anderson, & Najavits, 2015). But some studies found that health-care professionals’ attitudes and beliefs can be changed via education (Albery et al., 1996; Alshahrani, 2018; Ballon & Skinner, 2008; Corbin, Gottdiener, Sirikantraporn, Armstrong, & Probber, 2012; Department of Health (UK), 1991; Department of Health, Scottish Office Home and Health Department, Welish Office, 1996; Glass & Strang, 1991; Madson, Bethea, Daniel, & Necaise, 2008; McKim et al., 2014; Olsen & Sharfstein, 2014; Sadow & Ryder, 2008; Sanci et al., 2000; Tang, Wiste, Mao, & Hou, 2005).…”

“…Reasons for negative attitude were attitudinal factors, occupational constraints, and a lack of motivation to learn about drug dependency (Albery et al., 1996) and society’s biased conceptions (Moodley-Kunnie, 1988). Reasons for positive attitude were delivery of preventive services, and more positive beliefs toward prevention, attitudes toward working with the population of interest, and self-perceptions of knowledge and management skills about specific prevention (Boekeloo et al., 1991; Cheng, Dewitt, Savageau, & O’Connor, 1999; Franzgrote, Ellen, Millstein, & Irwin, 1997; Gottlieb, Mullen, & McAlister, 1987).…”

Alcoholism: The Self-Reinforcing Feedback Loop

“…Research suggests that positive, supportive, non-judgemental interactions with healthcare professionals are critical (Sacks & Keks, 1998). However, healthcare professionals may have negative attitudes to working with patients with alcohol-use disorders (Clay, Allen, & Parran, 2008;Durand, 1994), particularly professionals without specialist training in working with individuals with substance use problems (Albery et al, 1996). Among doctors, including General Practitioners, reported barriers include lack of training, inadequate expertise and time constraints (Durand, 1994;Geirsson, Bendtsen, & Spak, 2005), prejudice against individuals with alcohol-use disorders, and negative perceptions about the potential efficacy of treatment (Carr, 2011).…”