Abstract
Background: Primary care clinics are the ideal setting to treat individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUD). However, in most societies including the United Arab Emirates(UAE), the level and type of treatment provided by physicians in primary care is unknown. This study aims to assess the attitudes and beliefs of primary care physicians towards the treatment of patients with SUD. Methods: A cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed to 231 physicians across 35 primary healthcare clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The survey questionnaire captured data on four main areas including demographic and practice characteristics of the physicians, practice patterns of the physicians, training, and attitudes towards drug dependency treatment. Results: The response rate was 46%. There were more females (59%) and the mean (standard deviation) age of participants was 46.4 (9.5) years. Only 8.7% of physicians treated people with SUDs. Most of the physicians (93.2%) did not have specialised training in treating SUDs. A total 66% of physicians were interested in obtaining further training in screening and management of SUDs. Conclusion: This study identifies the need to implement training for physicians in diagnosing and further managing patients with addiction. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/ijptsud.v1i2.7702 International Journal of Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders 2014;1(2):84-97
Highlights
Alcohol and other substances liable to be misused, such as cocaine, opioid, and cannabis are a global public health problem associated with various adverse societal, personal, economic and health consequences, including significant rates of morbidity and mortality.According to estimates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in 2010 the number of ’problem drug users’ was between 15.5 and 38.6 million.[1]
A total 66% of physicians were interested in obtaining further training in screening and management of Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
Many studies have revealed that Family Physicians (FP) lack awareness and knowledge about alcohol and substance use in the primary care setting.[6]
Summary
According to estimates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in 2010 the number of ’problem drug users’ (those using illicit substances) was between 15.5 and 38.6 million.[1] Globally, alcohol use is the third leading risk factor leading to disease and the eighth leading cause of death. Deaths related to substance misuse were 7.6 million in 2009 (illicit drugs 0.245 million, alcohol 2.3 million, tobacco 5.1 million).[2]. Primary care clinics are the ideal setting to treat individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUD). In most societies including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the level and type of treatment provided by physicians in primary care is unknown.
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