Awareness of doctors of health care and possible therapy methods for alcohol and drug dependant patients in Latvia

Abstract

Aim is to investigate the knowledge of Latvian doctors about addictiontreatment and healthcare possibilities in Latvia, to compare whichmethods are the best known to physicians, and which are offered toaddicted patients. Work material and methods. Questionnaire wasdeveloped by researchers themselves, it contains 14 questions (aboutdemographical data, treatment methods and their application). 250questionnaires were distributed, 158 (63, 2{%}) were received. Results.Average age of participants - 43.7 years. 31,0{%} of respondents arepsychiatrists, 13,3{%} - addiction specialists, 34,8{%} - otherspecialists (general practitioners, internists, health care doctors,neurologists and others), 12,0{%} - psychotherapists, 4,4{%} - surgeons,1,9{%} - dentists and 1,9{%} - paediatricians. The best known weredetoxification (98,2{%}) and suggestion (892{%}) methods. The least knownmethods for drug addicts were substitution therapy (73,4{%}) andrehabilitation communities (73,4{%}). The most recommended treatmentmethod was Minnesota programme - 108 (68,4{%}) and detoxification 99(62,7{%}), the least recommended - substitution therapy - 29 (18,5{%}).Conclusions. 17,1{%} of respondents do not meet patients with addictionproblems, but 20,3{%} of respondents don't recommend any of treatmentmethods. Although 73{%}-98{%} of respondents have information abouttreatment methods, only 18{%}-68{%} of respondents offer them.