Interprofessional Training on Substance Misuse and Addiction: A Longitudinal Assessment of a Brazilian Experience

Liz Paola Domingues (), Elaine Lucas Dos Santos, Danilo Polverini Locatelli, André Bedendo and Ana Regina Noto ()
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Liz Paola Domingues: Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04021-001, Brazil
Elaine Lucas Dos Santos: Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná, Bandeirantes 86360-000, Brazil
Danilo Polverini Locatelli: Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04021-001, Brazil
André Bedendo: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
Ana Regina Noto: Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04021-001, Brazil

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Although several trainings have been offered to improve professional expertise on alcohol and other drugs, few have used an interdisciplinary approach and evaluated long-term improvements in the professional’s work routine. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of an interprofessional training program on alcohol and other drugs offered by a Regional Reference Center for Drugs of the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: the evaluation was carried out longitudinally using mixed methods (questionnaires (n = 29–177) and semistructured interviews (n = 28)). The participants were current workers from public institutions of health, education, social assistance, justice, and security system who attended the training. Data were collected at the beginning, the end, and one year after the end of the training. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed for quantitative data and thematic content analyses for qualitative data. Results: professionals who attended the training enhanced their understanding of substance-related issues, reduced stigma, changed their attitude, and improved their networking among the different services providing care to users. The main characteristics related to these outcomes were the interprofessional and biopsychosocial approach, and the experiential activities developed during the training. Most participants reported difficulties in implementing changes in their work routine, but those in managerial roles have reported having more autonomy to carry out such changes. Conclusions: the mixed methods converged in terms of their results. The training promoted a better understanding of issues related to substance use disorders, reduced stigma and expanded the repertoire of skills. The interprofessional and biopsychosocial approach and field activities seem to be related to these outcomes. The potential for implementing changes in daily practice was prominent among those occupying a managerial role.

Keywords: substance use disorders; interprofessional education; assessment of outcomes; mixed methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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