A Qualitative Study of Barriers to Care for People With Co-Occurring Disorders

Challenges in working with patients with dual diagnosis

“…This finding was represented by six categories of challenges, of which four were presented in the paper. The identified categories of challenges resemble some of the challenges identified in the existing literature (Adams, 2008; Baldacchino et al , 2011; Drake et al , 2001; Howland, 1990; Roberts, 2013; Sorsa et al , 2017).…”

“…A consistent finding in the literature is that mental health professionals often find their competencies inadequate to provide dual diagnosis treatment which makes it challenging to treat the patient group (Back et al , 2009; Barry et al , 2002; Cleary et al , 2009; Griffin et al , 2008; Sorsa et al , 2017). Insufficient knowledge of dual diagnosis treatment and insufficient clinical skills have been associated with negative attitudes towards patients with dual diagnosis (Adams, 2008; Richmond and Foster, 2003), which can impede the treatment (Sorsa et al , 2017; Todd et al , 2002; van Boekel et al , 2013). In order to improve the dual diagnosis treatment, a range of training programs on dual diagnosis treatment has, therefore, been developed to upskill mental health professionals’ competencies (Pinderup et al , 2016).…”

“…In light of the severe consequences with which dual diagnosis is associated, effective treatment is crucial. However, studies suggest that patients with dual diagnosis often receive insufficient treatment (Back et al , 2009; Carrà et al , 2015; Drake and Mueser, 2000; Sorsa et al , 2017). A consistent finding in the literature is that mental health professionals often find their competencies inadequate to provide dual diagnosis treatment which makes it challenging to treat the patient group (Back et al , 2009; Barry et al , 2002; Cleary et al , 2009; Griffin et al , 2008; Sorsa et al , 2017).…”

“…However, studies suggest that patients with dual diagnosis often receive insufficient treatment (Back et al , 2009; Carrà et al , 2015; Drake and Mueser, 2000; Sorsa et al , 2017). A consistent finding in the literature is that mental health professionals often find their competencies inadequate to provide dual diagnosis treatment which makes it challenging to treat the patient group (Back et al , 2009; Barry et al , 2002; Cleary et al , 2009; Griffin et al , 2008; Sorsa et al , 2017). Insufficient knowledge of dual diagnosis treatment and insufficient clinical skills have been associated with negative attitudes towards patients with dual diagnosis (Adams, 2008; Richmond and Foster, 2003), which can impede the treatment (Sorsa et al , 2017; Todd et al , 2002; van Boekel et al , 2013).…”

“…Identifying these challenges is necessary in order to address them, so the treatment can, in the end, hopefully be improved. Since other studies already have shown that mental health professionals often lack adequate competencies and sometimes have counterproductive attitudes towards the patient group (Barry et al , 2002; Cleary et al , 2009; Griffin et al , 2008; Sorsa et al , 2017), this study will focus on other kinds of challenges. The study is explorative and there are thus no preexisting hypotheses that the author seeks to confirm or reject.…”