Exploring healthcare professional’s engagements and experiences towards people who use new psychoactive substances in different addiction and mental healthcare services

Abstract

Purpose New psychoactive substance (NPS) use in mental health and addiction health-care services is a common co-morbidity. This paper aims to explore the survey responses with health-care professional’s (HCPs) engagements and experiences towards people who use NPS in five health-care services. Design/methodology/approach A theoretically adapted online survey design explored the engagements and experiences of participants towards people who use NPS across (n = 3) community and (n = 2) rehabilitation mental health and addiction health-care services consisting of (n = 1,027) service users. Findings A total of 92 participants (of 120 participants) completed the survey and 28 did not. Most (56.33%) reported neutral to poor experiences and engagements and a lack of NPS-related policies, procedures and educational training. Participants (99%) recognised the harmful effects of NPSs and (87%) requested clinical assessment procedures. The participants are unable to identify and manage acute intoxication by NPS, lack knowledge of NPS adverse effects and requested NPS-specific training on drug legislation. Research limitations/implications The sample may not be representative with the broader UK population. The study’s methods are comparable to similar research surrounding NPS in health-care services. Similar studies may advance the findings. Practical implications The implications for practice include NPS awareness trainings, educational updates through seminars and conferences. Participants requested clearer NPS assessment, referral and management processes. Several policy-making and procedural opportunities exist to ensure a better health outcome for people who use NPS. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first theoretically adapted survey to explore participant’s engagements and experiences with people who use NPS in addiction and mental health settings.