A new study published in Cureus sheds light on the role of physician interactions in increasing the likelihood of individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). The research, conducted by Abigail M. Smurzynski and colleagues at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, analyzed data from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and found that certain doctor-patient discussions significantly influenced whether people sought treatment.
The study highlights a troubling statistic: only about 10% of the estimated 40 million individuals with SUD actually receive treatment. Traditional physician inquiries, such as asking about the frequency and quantity of substance use, were not linked to an increased likelihood of treatment. However, more direct and personalized conversations had a profound impact. Patients who were asked by a physician if they had a drinking problem were 2.52 times more likely to seek treatment, while those advised to cut down on drinking were 3.86 times more likely to do so. The most effective intervention was when a doctor provided information about alcohol treatment, which increased the odds of treatment reception by nearly five times.
Despite this, only 9.6% of individuals reported ever having such an interaction with a healthcare provider. The study suggests that many doctors may not feel adequately trained to discuss substance use treatment beyond screening. This gap in medical education could be a key factor in the low treatment rates for SUD.
Demographic trends in the study showed that those who received treatment were more likely to be non-Hispanic White, male, and over the age of 26. Income levels did not appear to significantly impact whether someone sought treatment, contradicting the common assumption that financial barriers are the primary reason for low treatment rates.
The researchers call for improved medical education and training to help physicians feel more confident in engaging patients in discussions about substance use treatment. They also emphasize the need for healthcare providers to go beyond routine screenings and actively provide resources and recommendations. By shifting the approach to patient interactions, medical professionals could play a crucial role in closing the treatment gap for SUD.
The full study is available here: https://www.cureus.com/articles/769...reception-of-substance-use-disorder-treatment
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