General practice management of illicit drug users in Scotland: A national survey
Authors: Matheson, C., Pitcairn, J., Bond, C.M., Van Teijlingen, E. and Ryan, M.
Journal: Addiction
Volume: 98
Issue: 1
Pages: 119-126
ISSN: 0965-2140
DOI: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2003.00263.x
Abstract:Aims: To describe the level of involvement of general practitioners (GPs) in the management of illicit drug dependency; nature of current practice in the management of illicit drug dependency; influence of guidelines on practice: GP training experience and needs; and to consider the policy implications of the findings. Design: A cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey. Setting: General practice in Scotland. Participants: A 1 : 4 randomized sample (n = 926) of general practice principals. stratified according to age, gender and number of practice partners. Measurements: A structured postal questionnaire. Findings: A 63% response rate was achieved after two reminders (n = 583). Sixty per cent of respondents treated drug users. 51.5% provided methadone maintenance but only 58% used doses in the recommended range. Maintenance prescribing of dihydrocodeine and benzodiazepines was provided by 24% and 44.8% of respondents, respectively. While 79.3% had received the national clinical guidelines only 22.5% believed this had influenced their practice. Only a third of respondents had received drug dependency training. Beliefs about whether prescribing for drug misusers is part of a GPs professional remit was split. Conclusions: There was relatively high involvement with drug users, with methadone maintenance being the most common treatment provided. Maintenance prescribing of dihydrocodeine and benzodiazepines were common despite a lack of clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of these treatments. This may reflect the nature of the presenting drug problems and highlights the difficulties some GPs may face in managing multiple drug dependencies within current guidelines. Further local training to implement guidelines along with trials of alternative treatments currently outwith guidelines should be considered.
Source: Scopus
General practice management of illicit drug users in Scotland: a national survey.
Authors: Matheson, C., Pitcairn, J., Bond, C.M., van Teijlingen, E. and Ryan, M.
Journal: Addiction
Volume: 98
Issue: 1
Pages: 119-126
ISSN: 0965-2140
DOI: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2003.00263.x
Abstract:AIMS: To describe the level of involvement of general practitioners (GPs) in the management of illicit drug dependency; nature of current practice in the management of illicit drug dependency; influence of guidelines on practice; GP training experience and needs; and to consider the policy implications of the findings. DESIGN: A cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey. SETTING: General practice in Scotland. PARTICIPANTS: A 1 : 4 randomized sample (n = 926) of general practice principals, stratified according to age, gender and number of practice partners. MEASUREMENTS: A structured postal questionnaire. FINDINGS: A 63% response rate was achieved after two reminders (n = 583). Sixty per cent of respondents treated drug users, 51.5% provided methadone maintenance but only 58% used doses in the recommended range. Maintenance prescribing of dihydrocodeine and benzodiazepines was provided by 24% and 44.8% of respondents, respectively. While 79.3% had received the national clinical guidelines only 22.5% believed this had influenced their practice. Only a third of respondents had received drug dependency training. Beliefs about whether prescribing for drug misusers is part of a GPs professional remit was split. CONCLUSIONS: There was relatively high involvement with drug users, with methadone maintenance being the most common treatment provided. Maintenance prescribing of dihydrocodeine and benzodiazepines were common despite a lack of clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of these treatments. This may reflect the nature of the presenting drug problems and highlights the difficulties some GPs may face in managing multiple drug dependencies within current guidelines. Further local training to implement guidelines along with trials of alternative treatments currently outwith guidelines should be considered.
Source: PubMed
General practice management of illicit drug users in Scotland: a national survey
Authors: Matheson, C., Pitcairn, J., Bond, C.M., van Teijlingen, E. and Ryan, M.
Journal: ADDICTION
Volume: 98
Issue: 1
Pages: 119-126
eISSN: 1360-0443
ISSN: 0965-2140
DOI: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2003.00263.x
Source: Web of Science (Lite)
General practice management of illicit drug users in Scotland: a national survey
Authors: Matheson, C.I., Pitcairn, J., Bond, C.M., van Teijlingen, E. and Ryan, M.
Journal: Addiction
Volume: 98
Pages: 119-126
ISSN: 0965-2140
DOI: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2003.00263.x
Abstract:Aims To describe the level of involvement of general practitioners (GPs) in the management of illicit drug dependency; nature of current practice in the management of illicit drug dependency; influence of guidelines on practice; GP training experience and needs; and to consider the policy implications of the findings.
Design A cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey.
Setting General practice in Scotland.
Participants A 1 : 4 randomized sample (n = 926) of general practice principals, stratified according to age, gender and number of practice partners.
Measurements A structured postal questionnaire.
Findings A 63% response rate was achieved after two reminders (n = 583). Sixty per cent of respondents treated drug users, 51.5% provided methadone maintenance but only 58% used doses in the recommended range. Maintenance prescribing of dihydrocodeine and benzodiazepines was provided by 24% and 44.8% of respondents, respectively. While 79.3% had received the national clinical guidelines only 22.5% believed this had influenced their practice. Only a third of respondents had received drug dependency training. Beliefs about whether prescribing for drug misusers is part of a GPs professional remit was split.
Conclusions There was relatively high involvement with drug users, with methadone maintenance being the most common treatment provided. Maintenance prescribing of dihydrocodeine and benzodiazepines were common despite a lack of clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of these treatments. This may reflect the nature of the presenting drug problems and highlights the difficulties some GPs may face in managing multiple drug dependencies within current guidelines. Further local training to implement guidelines along with trials of alternative treatments currently outwith guidelines should be considered.
Source: Manual
Preferred by: Edwin van Teijlingen
General practice management of illicit drug users in Scotland: a national survey.
Authors: Matheson, C., Pitcairn, J., Bond, C.M., van Teijlingen, E. and Ryan, M.
Journal: Addiction (Abingdon, England)
Volume: 98
Issue: 1
Pages: 119-126
eISSN: 1360-0443
ISSN: 0965-2140
DOI: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2003.00263.x
Abstract:Aims
To describe the level of involvement of general practitioners (GPs) in the management of illicit drug dependency; nature of current practice in the management of illicit drug dependency; influence of guidelines on practice; GP training experience and needs; and to consider the policy implications of the findings.Design
A cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey.Setting
General practice in Scotland.Participants
A 1 : 4 randomized sample (n = 926) of general practice principals, stratified according to age, gender and number of practice partners.Measurements
A structured postal questionnaire.Findings
A 63% response rate was achieved after two reminders (n = 583). Sixty per cent of respondents treated drug users, 51.5% provided methadone maintenance but only 58% used doses in the recommended range. Maintenance prescribing of dihydrocodeine and benzodiazepines was provided by 24% and 44.8% of respondents, respectively. While 79.3% had received the national clinical guidelines only 22.5% believed this had influenced their practice. Only a third of respondents had received drug dependency training. Beliefs about whether prescribing for drug misusers is part of a GPs professional remit was split.Conclusions
There was relatively high involvement with drug users, with methadone maintenance being the most common treatment provided. Maintenance prescribing of dihydrocodeine and benzodiazepines were common despite a lack of clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of these treatments. This may reflect the nature of the presenting drug problems and highlights the difficulties some GPs may face in managing multiple drug dependencies within current guidelines. Further local training to implement guidelines along with trials of alternative treatments currently outwith guidelines should be considered.Source: Europe PubMed Central