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Integrating addiction and mental health networks to improve access to treatment for people with alcohol and drug-related problems: a qualitative study
- Authors:
- FONSECA Francina, GILCHRIST Gail, TORRENS Marta
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 5(1), 2012, pp.5-14.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Improvement in Access to Treatment for People with Alcohol and Drug Related Problems (IATPAD) was a European multi-centre study designed to detect barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment for patients with alcohol and drug-related problems. This article reports the main findings of the qualitative study carrier out in Catalunya. A total of 47 staff were interviewed from a randomly selected sample of the three main entry points to treatment for patients with alcohol and drug problems; out-patient general psychiatry centres (CSMA); out-patient addiction centres (CAS); and primary care centres (CAP). Open-ended responses were also collated from 142 additional staff on barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment for patients with alcohol and drug problems and how these barriers could be improved. A total of 25 patients from two CAS were interviewed in-depth. Many opinions about accessing treatment were shared by staff and patients. These included patients' motivation, centres' opening hours, staff attitudes, the provision of information about services, and stigma. In addition staff mentioned referral waiting times and the co-ordination and integration of different services (mainly the mental health and addiction sectors). Patients were also influenced by previous treatment experiences. The authors make recommendations for the improvement of service accessibility for patients with addiction problems and those with a dual diagnosis.