This practical and up-to-date guide offers comprehensive support for primary care clinicians managing patients with substance use disorders. Covering a wide range of substances and clinical scenarios, the book is organized into four parts: foundational knowledge, specific substance dependencies, clinical management (diagnosis, treatment, recovery), and considerations for special groups such as women, adolescents, and individuals with co-occurring disorders.

An essential resource for physicians, nurse practitioners, medical students, and addiction specialists.

A new study from the University of Dundee and University of Stirling highlights the impact of placing specialist Addiction Nurses (ANs) within primary care teams to support individuals with serious alcohol problems in disadvantaged communities. Focusing on a service in Glasgow (PCANOS), the research shows how ANs deliver person-centred care through home visits, building trust and improving health outcomes.

Patients reported reduced alcohol use, better well-being, and stronger family relationships. The study emphasises the importance of expanding the role of ANs to reach underserved...

Background:
This article shares findings from a study that looked into how alcohol and other drugs (AOD) nurses in the UK view their current career opportunities and the challenges they face. It also explores how changes in health services have affected their roles.

Methods:
Researchers conducted interviews with twelve AOD nurses using a narrative approach to allow for open discussion and new insights. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify common themes.

Key Findings:

• Nurses discussed the pros and cons of non-medical prescribing (NMP) and how it has...

The objective of the study was to compare the use of medical and dental services by seniors residing at a seniors-only living facility and in the general community. It was a quantitative study, among 50 residents of the living facility and 173 in the general community. The data were collected between November 2011 and February 2012 through a questionnaire, and subjected to statistical analysis. Performance of clinical exams and satisfaction with health services was greater among seniors living in the general community; however, physical therapy treatment was more common among those living in...

With the increased role of nurses in caring for patients with substance addiction, there was a clear need to develop the Addiction Nursing Competencies to guide and support the nursing workforce. A literature search revealed a lack of formal instruments to assess and guide nurses in caring for persons with substance use disorders. The Addiction Nursing Competencies were created using existing nursing education frameworks and addiction nurse care manager clinical guidelines.

Abstract: 

While the traditional complications of diabetes mellitus—such as cardiovascular disease—are well recognized, advances in treatment and increased life expectancy have revealed a new set of lesser-known complications that are becoming more prominent.

As mortality from vascular disease declines, conditions like cancer and dementia have emerged as leading causes of death among people with diabetes in several countries. In addition, growing evidence shows strong associations between diabetes and a range of comorbidities, including:

• Cognitive decline

• Functional disability

• ...

Objective:
Understanding that diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) may help increase diabetes screening and improve prevention efforts for CVD.

Overview:
The American Heart Association conducted an online survey across 50 countries to assess public awareness of the link between diabetes and CVD. The study looked at differences in awareness by sex, age, region, and country income level.

Key Findings:

• Out of 48,988 respondents, only 32.1% recognized diabetes as a major risk factor for CVD.

• Awareness was similar between men and women, but higher among older...

Abstract

With the increased role of nurses in caring for patients with substance addiction, there was a clear need to develop the Addiction Nursing Competencies to guide and support the nursing workforce.

A literature search revealed a lack of formal instruments to assess and guide nurses in caring for persons with substance use disorders.

The Addiction Nursing Competencies were created using existing nursing education frameworks and addiction nurse care manager clinical guidelines.

Background

Healthcare workers across the world have risen to the demands of treating COVID-19 patients, potentially at significant cost to their own health and wellbeing. There has been increasing recognition of the potential mental health impact of COVID-19 on frontline workers and calls to provide psychosocial support for them. However, little attention has so far been paid to understanding the impact of working on a pandemic from healthcare workers’ own perspectives or what their views are about support.

Methods

Key healthcare databases (Medline, PsychINFO and PubMed) were checked, from...

Background

Interdisciplinary collaborations (i.e., where various disciplines work coordinated and interdependently toward shared goals) are stated to yield higher team effectiveness than multidisciplinary approaches (i.e., where various disciplines work in parallel within their professional boundaries) in somatic health care settings. Nevertheless, research is lacking on interdisciplinary approaches for alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment of hospitalized patients as these types of approaches are still uncommon. This study aims to evaluate an innovative interdisciplinary AUD treatment...

A recent study has found that embedding specialist Addiction Nurses within general practice teams can help address alcohol problems in deprived areas.

In this blog, the lead author Dr Andrea Mohan examines why the role of the Addiction Nurse is so important.

The blog post covers:

Alcohol and health

Managing alcohol problems in primary care

The role of specialist Addiction Nurses

How do patients respond to Addiction Nurses?