A survey of attitudes towards patient substance abuse and addiction in the Emergency Centre

Abstract

Introduction: Hospitals across South Africa are inundated with patients suffering from conditions associated with substance abuse. It is inevitable that contact with health services be made through an emergency centre at some point. This study aims to assess the exposure and attitudes of emergency physicians to substance abuse and addiction in major South African academic emer- gency centres. Methods: A prospective survey based on the Substance Abuse Attitude Survey was conducted in a convenience sample of 85 emergency physician registrars and junior consultants in the Western Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. Respondents were targeted during academic meetings and by post. The survey consisted of a brief demographic questionnaire and tested agree- ment of 50 statements using a Likert scale. Five pre-defined attitude subgroups were evaluated: per- missiveness, non-stereotypes, treatment intervention, treatment optimism and non-moralism. Results: There was an 81% (n = 69) response rate with the bulk of the response from the Western Cape. Despite receiving very little formal instruction in addiction and substance abuse, a majority of emergency physicians were in daily contact with substance abuse related cases. The respondents