Healthcare providers’ experiences of working with alcohol addiction treatment in Thailand

Actitudes, creencias y estigma atribuidos por profesionales de la salud a dependientes de sustancias psicoactivas: una revisión sistemática

Objetivos: el uso abusivo y la dependencia de alcohol y otras drogas es muy común entre las comunidades y visto como un problema de salud pública, que requiere cuidados y tratamientos; así la presente revisión sistemática tiene como objetivo analizar las publicaciones científicas respecto de las actitudes, creencias y comportamientos estigmatizantes por parte de los profesionales de la salud frente a los usuarios de sustancias psicoativas, quienes buscan atención en los servicios de salud. Metodología: durante el mes de mayo de 2018 se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases de datos de SciELO, LILACS, Pubmed, PsycINFO y Pepsic que generó un total de 35 artículos que se correspondieron con los criterios de inclusión. Resultados: se logra observar que, aunque los profesionales tienen consciencia acerca de su rol en la atención de los pacientes y que a veces tienen predisposición para atenderlos, las actitudes y creencias negativas pravelecen, debido al miedo, el poco interés, el prejuicio, la impaciencia y la falta de conocimiento sobre la problemática, evidenciados en los comportamientos de dichos profesionales. Por lo tanto, se señala la necesidad de promover discusiones y nuevas reflexiones, que deben ser realizadas conjuntamente con los profesionales, con el objetivo de elaborar estrategias de disminución de las actitudes negativas y del estigma, los cuales deben, además, ser trabajados desde la formación.

Barriers to successful treatment of alcohol addiction as perceived by healthcare professionals in Thailand - a Delphi study about obstacles and improvement suggestions

Background

Many Thai people experiencing alcohol addiction do not seek help, and those who do often have inadequate access to treatment. There are few research studies focusing on alcohol addiction treatment in Thailand.

Objective

The purpose of the current study was to identify barriers to the treatment of alcohol addiction and to collect experts’ suggestions for improving treatment in Thailand. The Delphi technique was used to achieve consensual agreement among an expert panel within the field of alcohol addiction and treatment.

Design

Three rounds of a Delphi survey were completed by a panel of experts in alcohol addiction, including physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, healthcare officers, and an Alcoholics Anonymous member. The open-ended answers provided by 34 experts in the first round resulted in 60 statements, which were later grouped into three themes. After three rounds of questionnaires, 51 statements were accepted as consensus.

Results

Thirty-two experts participated in all three Delphi rounds. Over 80% of participants were particularly concerned about five obstacles to alcohol addiction treatment. The majority of suggestions from the expert panel were related to patients’ right to treatment and the national policy for reducing the negative effects of alcohol. According to the results of the present study, the experts suggested that the treatment of alcohol addiction should be continuous from primary care to tertiary care, and convenient pathways should be established in healthcare services. The experts would also like to increase the number of healthcare providers and improve their knowledge and skills in working with people experiencing alcohol addiction.

Conclusions

Equal rights to health and treatment for people experiencing alcohol addiction in Thailand require policy improvements, as well as acceptance and awareness of alcohol addiction from both the public and policymakers.