The nature of substance abuse treatment: Lived experiences of primary care providers.

Abstract

There is an evolving need in healthcare to develop treatment options for substance abuse disorders in primary care settings. This is a study investigating the experience of providing primary health care treatment to those who have a history of substance abuse issues. Researchers conducted interviews with 14 primary care providers, and the transcripts from those interviews were analyzed using a phenomenological approach. It was determined that the overall experience of providing medical care to patients with a history of substance abuse is emotionally challenging and that it takes a great effort to maintain consistency in care with evidence of possible prescription drug misuse from the patient. Suggestions are made from this study to improve training and subsequent implementing of substance abuse treatment into primary care.