Research project:

How do General Practitioners feel about being involved in managing substance misuse problems?

David Clark, Sue Morgan and Pat Bradley

The present study was undertaken as part of a systematic mapping exercise of substance misuse treatment in the Morgannwg area of South Wales. We were to make recommendations to a Task & Finish Group for a new service delivery model, and provide suggestions that would help engage more GPs in the treatment of substance misuse.

We conducted a focus group meeting and visited GP surgeries to examine the role of GPs and their attitudes towards the treatment of substance misuse. The main findings were that a significant proportion of GPs:

• have negative perceptions of substance misusers, street agencies and the system in which treatment is provided
  
  
• are involved in prescribing to substance misusers, but their activities are often uncoordinated and are driven by a necessity to manage risk to themselves and their patients
  
  
• believe that prescribing of drugs for substance misuse treatment should not occur in isolation, but be linked to a programme of psychosocial support from street agencies

believe that street agencies need to collaborate more closely, providing key information and feedback to support the prescribing, as well as help if the client becomes chaotic and unmanageable

There are clear indications that more GPs would become involved in the treatment and management of substance misuse if there was a structured programme across Morgannwg, along with improved communication, support and advice. In addition, there is a necessity to provide educational and training material to increase the awareness of GPs about substance misuse.

It is highly likely that our findings can be generalised to many other areas of the UK and abroad.

Detailed report available in pdf format