Service provider barriers to treatment and care for people with mental health and alcohol and other drug comorbidity in a metropolitan region of South Australia. Issue 3 (17th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Crespigny, Charlotte; Grønkjær, Mette; Liu, Dennis; Moss, John; Cairney, Imelda; Procter, Nicholas; Posselt, Miriam; Francis Jebaraj, Hepsibah Sharmil; Schultz, Tim; Banders, Andris; King, Rosie; Lee, Deb; Galletly, Cherrie
• Is Part Of: Advances in dual diagnosis. Volume 8:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 128
• Publication Date: 2015-08-17
• Subjects: Dual diagnosis -- Mental health services -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.1108/ADD-05-2015-0007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-0972

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title> <p> – The purpose of this paper is to elicit clinicians' and workers' knowledge, experiences and opinions of key issues pertaining to comorbidity service needs of people aged 12 years and over in a metropolitan region of South Australia. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title> <p> – As one component of a participatory action research project, this qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with mental health (MH) and alcohol and other drug (AOD) clinicians and workers (<italic>n</italic>=20). </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title> <p> – The participants expressed concerns involving stigma towards their clients. They highlighted lack of adequate MH and AOD comorbidity service accessibility and models, regularly available clinical comorbidity workforce development, and practice supervision and skills training. These factors influenced participants' and their colleagues' capacity and ability to access and provide appropriate help for people needing integrated treatment and care of their co-existing comorbid conditions. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Practical implications</title> <p> – Findings highlight the need for coordinated and integrated, individualised holistic comorbidity services, including treatment and care best suited to Aboriginal people and refugees. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title> <p> – This study emphasises the importance of government and non-government MH and AOD services ensuring that comorbidity is responded to collaboratively and systemically. It also demonstrates the importance of professional development.</p> </sec> </abstract>