Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Non-Psychiatric Physicians about Addiction

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate non-psychiatric physicians’ knowledge, attitude and practices regarding management of cases with addiction. Subjects and Methods: Following a cross-sectional study, 126 non-psychiatric physicians in Aseer Region were interviewed. A study questionnaire was used for data collection. It included socio-demographic data; general attitudes and interest toward addictions, addiction psychiatry; knowledge about addictions, addictive disorders, including treatment, and practice about addictions, addictive disorders, and treatment. The survey was anonymously self-administered and participant physicians were asked to provide their written informed consent to participate in this study. Data were collected through direct interviews with physicians. Results: Age of participants ranged from 26 to 66 years (Mean±SD: 37.1±9.1 years). Most participants (81%) were males. Only 9.5% attended a training course or a conference on management of addiction, while 12.7% attended training or a course on palliative care. Generally, participants had very low knowledge regarding management of addiction, especially maintenance daily doses of Buprenorphine and Methadone and their overdose (4.8%, 12.7% and 7.9%, respectively). Regarding positive attitude statements, the least agreed upon were “illicit drugs addicts are easy patients”; and “being at ease in working with persons with heroin addiction” (11.1%, and 14.3%, respectively), while the highest agreed upon negative statements were “deficient resources to treat drug-dependent patients”; and “need to have more training on addiction management” (82.5% and 69.8%, respectively). Acute or chronic pain crises were the most common addiction-related conditions managed by participant physicians (39.7% and 31.7%, respectively). Cases of substance-induced psychosis were managed by 12.7% of participant physicians. The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with addiction-related conditions were morphine, fentanyl, tramadol and pregabalin (44.4%, 19% 19%, and 17.5% respectively). Conclusions: Non-psychiatric physicians in Aseer Region have insufficient knowledge, negative attitude and poor practice about psychoactive substance use disorders. Continuing medical education and training is necessary to promote physicians’ knowledge and practices related to prevention and treatment strategies for addiction diseases. Key Words: Addiction, psychoactive substance use disorders, knowledge, attitude, practice, non-psychiatric physicians