TY - JOUR
KW - Community Medicine
KW - healthcare organization
KW - Public Health
KW - Qualitative Methods
AU - J. Fraeyman
AU - L. Symons
AU - P. Van Royen
AU - G. Van Hal
AU - L. Peremans
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: Opiate substitution treatment (OST) is the administration of opioids (methadone or buprenorphine) under medical supervision for opiate addiction. Several studies indicate a large unmet need for OST in general practice in Antwerp, Belgium. Some hurdles remain before GPs engage in OST prescribing. OBJECTIVES: Formulate recommendations to increase engagement of GPs in OST, applicable to Belgium and beyond. METHODS: In 2009, an exploratory qualitative research was performed using focus group discussions and interviews with GPs. During data collection and analysis, purposive sampling, open and axial coding was applied. The script was composed around the advantages, disadvantages and conditions of engaging in OST in general practice. RESULTS: We conducted six focus groups and two interviews, with GPs experienced in prescribing OST (n = 13), inexperienced GPs (n = 13), and physicians from addiction centres (n = 5). Overall, GPs did not seem very willing to prescribe OST for opiate users. A lack of knowledge about OST and misbehaving patients creates anxiety and makes the GPs reluctant to learn more about OST. The GPs refer to a lack of collaboration with the addiction centres and a need of support (from either addiction centres or experienced GP-colleagues for advice). Important conditions for OST are acceptance of only stable opiate users and more support in emergencies. CONCLUSION: Increasing GPs' knowledge about OST and improving collaboration with addiction centres are essential to increase the uptake of OST in general practice. Special attention could be paid to the role of more experienced colleagues who can act as advising physicians for inexperienced GPs.
BT - The European journal of general practice
C5 - Opioids & Substance Use; Education & Workforce
CP - 2
CY - England
DO - 10.3109/13814788.2015.1120286
IS - 2
JF - The European journal of general practice
N2 - BACKGROUND: Opiate substitution treatment (OST) is the administration of opioids (methadone or buprenorphine) under medical supervision for opiate addiction. Several studies indicate a large unmet need for OST in general practice in Antwerp, Belgium. Some hurdles remain before GPs engage in OST prescribing. OBJECTIVES: Formulate recommendations to increase engagement of GPs in OST, applicable to Belgium and beyond. METHODS: In 2009, an exploratory qualitative research was performed using focus group discussions and interviews with GPs. During data collection and analysis, purposive sampling, open and axial coding was applied. The script was composed around the advantages, disadvantages and conditions of engaging in OST in general practice. RESULTS: We conducted six focus groups and two interviews, with GPs experienced in prescribing OST (n = 13), inexperienced GPs (n = 13), and physicians from addiction centres (n = 5). Overall, GPs did not seem very willing to prescribe OST for opiate users. A lack of knowledge about OST and misbehaving patients creates anxiety and makes the GPs reluctant to learn more about OST. The GPs refer to a lack of collaboration with the addiction centres and a need of support (from either addiction centres or experienced GP-colleagues for advice). Important conditions for OST are acceptance of only stable opiate users and more support in emergencies. CONCLUSION: Increasing GPs' knowledge about OST and improving collaboration with addiction centres are essential to increase the uptake of OST in general practice. Special attention could be paid to the role of more experienced colleagues who can act as advising physicians for inexperienced GPs.
PP - England
PY - 2016
SN - 1751-1402; 1381-4788
SP - 134
EP - 140
EP - 
T1 - How to overcome hurdles in opiate substitution treatment? A qualitative study with general practitioners in Belgium
T2 - The European journal of general practice
TI - How to overcome hurdles in opiate substitution treatment? A qualitative study with general practitioners in Belgium
U1 - Opioids & Substance Use; Education & Workforce
U2 - 26799738
U3 - 10.3109/13814788.2015.1120286
VL - 22
VO - 1751-1402; 1381-4788
Y1 - 2016
ER -