Perceived Client and Program Moderators of Successful Therapeutic Community Treatment for Drug Addiction

Research examining moderators of therapeutic community treatment outcomes has tended to emphasize the importance of length of stay in programs. to this extent the research literature implies a causal role for treatment in the determination of treatment outcomes. Using the Delphi technique, a panel of residents, staff members, and other drug treatment agency staff involved with the Odyssey House therapeutic community in Melbourne were surveyed regarding their perceptions of factors moderating successful treatment in this program. Examination of the perceptions of those involved with the delivery of therapeutic community treatment suggested a strong respect for the importance of client motivational factors in the determination of treatment outcomes. It is suggested that future research in this area could profitably focus on attempts to quantify the separate contribution of treatment and nontreatment factors in explaining treatment outcomes.     

Assessing Covariates of Drug Use Trajectories Among Adolescents Admitted to a Drug Addiction Center: Mental Health Problems,Therapeutic Alliance,and Treatment Persistence

This study aimed to assess covariates of drug use trajectories among 102 adolescents admitted to a drug user treatment program between November 2005 and November 2006 in Québec, Canada. The influences of mental health, therapeutic alliance, and treatment persistence were examined. The Addiction Severity Index was used to measure drug use severity and mental health problems; the California Psychotherapy Alliance Scales was used for therapeutic alliance. latent growth curve analysis showed associations between (1) mental health and initial drug use severity; (2) therapeutic alliance and initial drug use severity; and (3) number of post-treatment sessions attended and drug use severity over time.     

Alcoholics Anonymous and other mutual help organizations: Impact of a 45-minute didactic for primary care and categorical internal medicine residents

ABSTRACT

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are highly prevalent among primary care patients. One evidence-based, cost-effective referral option is ubiquitous mutual help organizations (MHOs) such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and SMART Recovery; however, little is known about how to effectively increase trainee knowledge and confidence with these referrals. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether a single 45-minute combined lecture and role play–based didactic for primary care residents could enhance knowledge, improve attitudes, and bolster confidence in referring patients with addictions to community MHOs. Methods: The authors developed a 45-minute lecture and role play addressing the evidence for MHOs, their respective background/content, and how to make effective referrals. Participants were administered a brief survey of their MHO-related knowledge, attitudes, and confidence before and after the session to evaluate the didactic impact. Results: Participants were 55 primary care and categorical internal medicine residents divided among postgraduate year 1 (PGY1; 27.3%), PGY2 (38.2%), and PGY3 (34.5%). They had a mean age of 29 (SD = 2.62); 49% were female, 69% were Caucasian, and 78% reported some religious affiliation. Participants' subjective knowledge about MHOs increased significantly (P < .001), as did their confidence in making referrals (P < .001). Changes in participants' attitudes about the importance of MHOs in aiding successful addiction recovery approached significance (P = .058). The proportion of participants with correct responses to each of 4 knowledge-based questions increased substantially. Conclusions: Primary care and internal medicine residents reported variable baseline knowledge of MHOs and confidence in making referrals, both of which were improved in response to a 45-minute didactic. Role play may be a useful supplementary tool in enhancing residents' knowledge and skill in treating patients with SUD.     

An ethical analysis of medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) for persons who are incarcerated

Abstract

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is highly prevalent among persons who are incarcerated. Medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD), methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, is widely used to treat OUD in the community. Despite MOUD’s well-documented effectiveness in improving health and social outcomes, its use in American jails and prisons is limited.

Several factors are used to justify limited access to MOUD in jails and prisons including: “uncertainty” of MOUD’s effectiveness during incarceration, security concerns, risk of overdose from MOUD, lack of resources and institutional infrastructure, and the inability of people with OUD to provide informed consent. Stigma regarding MOUD also likely plays a role. While these factors are relevant to the creation and implementation of addiction treatment policies in incarcerated settings, their ethicality remains underexplored.

Using ethical principles of beneficence/non-maleficence, justice, and autonomy, in addition to public health ethics, we evaluate the ethicality of the above list of factors. There is a two-fold ethical imperative to provide MOUD in jails and prisons. Firstly, persons who are incarcerated have the right to evidence-based medical care for OUD. Secondly, because jails and prisons are government institutions, they have an obligation to provide that evidence-based treatment. Additionally, jails and prisons must address the systematic barriers that prevent them from fulfilling that responsibility. According to widely accepted ethical principles, strong evidence supporting the health benefits of MOUD cannot be subordinated to stigma or inaccurate assessments of security, cost, and feasibility. We conclude that making MOUD inaccessible in jails and prisons is ethically impermissible.     

The Development and Validation of a Transformational Leadership Survey for Substance Use Treatment Programs

Directors in substance use treatment programs are increasingly required to respond to external economic and socio-political pressures. Leadership practices that promote innovation can help offset these challenges. Using focus groups, factor analysis, and validation instruments, the current study developed and established psychometrics for the Survey of Transformational Leadership. In 2008, clinical directors were evaluated on leadership practices by 214 counselors within 57 programs in four U.S. regions. Nine themes emerged: integrity, sensible risk, demonstrates innovation, encourages innovation, inspirational motivation, supports others, develops others, delegates tasks, and expects excellence. Study implications, limitations, and suggested future directions are discussed.     

Association of Suicide Attempts and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Behaviors With Substance Use and Family Characteristics Among Children and Adolescents Seeking Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

Background: Numerous studies in youth and adults suggest strong association between substance use disorders and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behaviors. There is paucity of studies exploring the association of substance use with history of suicide attempts (HSA) and NSSI in children and adolescents in Turkey. Objective: We aimed to examine the prevalence of NSSI and HSA and their relationship with substance use and family characteristics among youth seeking treatment for substance use in Turkey. Method: Participants were children and adolescents who were admitted to the Bakirkoy Trainee and Research Hospital for Psychiatric and Neurologic Disorders in Istanbul between January 2011 and December 2013. Two thousand five hundred eighteen participants were included. Questionnaires were applied to all patients. The association of NSSI and HSA with substance use, family characteristics, and subject characteristics were analyzed. Results: The prevalence of NSSI and HSA behaviors among substance using youth in our sample were 52% and 21% respectively. Cannabis and cocaine use was found to be a significant risk factor for HSA, and polysubstance use was associated with both NSSI and HSA. Parental separation/divorce, parental mental disorders, alcohol and drug use, and crime were the risk factors for HSA. A positive history of physical and sexual abuse increased the risk of HAS, and a history of neglect increased the risk of NSSI. Conclusions/importance: We suggest that results showing relationship between substance use and associated social features with NSSI and HSA may contribute to elaborating effective and targeted preventive and intervention programs for these high-risk youth groups in Turkey.     

Developing Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) for Parents of Treatment-Resistant Adolescents

We describe a project focused on training parents to facilitate their treatment-resistant adolescent’s treatment entry and to manage their child after entry into community-based treatment. Controlled studies show that Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) is a unilateral treatment that fosters treatment entry of adults; however, there are no controlled trials for parents with a substance-abusing child. We examined the behavioral parent training literature to guide us in tailoring CRAFT for parents of adolescents. We discuss adaptations to CRAFT, outcomes and experiences gained from a brief pilot of the revised CRAFT program, and the future directions of this work.     

医联体药师团队参与COPD患者长期用药安全评估管理工作模式的实践研究

摘 要 目的：探讨医改新形势下医联体药师团队参与慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者长期用药安全评估新型管理模式,为药师参与慢病管理提供参考。方法: 选取在我院及医联体所辖5家社区卫生服务中心就诊且符合入选标准的126例COPD患者,由我院临床药师带动指导社区药师共同参与,与医生协作,对患者进行为期1年的安全用药干预管理,包括：用药安全综合评估与分级管理、追踪随访与用药指导,全程化处方审核、建立共享数据库等。结果:该工作模式干预1年后,患者安全用药认知能力及用药依从性较干预前均显著提高（P＜0.01）,患者COPD疾病控制情况（CAT评分）明显改善（P＜0.05或P＜0.01）,药师有效辨识并干预不合理处方能力显著提升（P＜0.01）。结论: 医联体药师团队参与COPD患者长期用药安全评估管理工作模式对于保障COPD 患者安全用药,提高药物治疗效果,提高药师团队专业服务水平具有显著作用。     

Validation of a risk stratification tool for a Hospital Outreach Medication Review (HOMR) program

BackgroundEarly hospital readmissions are a challenging and costly experience for both patients and the healthcare service. Reducing hospital readmission rates is a priority for health services globally and this is evident with the establishment of multiple outpatient services to promote early follow-up and to initiate secondary preventative care measures. One such intervention has been the introduction of a pharmacist-led, Hospital Outreach Medication Review (HOMR) service. However, the demand for the service has meant reaching this target has become an increasingly ambitious goal within allocated resources.ObjectiveTo validate a risk-stratification tool to identify low-risk patients in whom a telephone medication review would be a safe and effective alternative to a home-based review.MethodA risk tool was derived and applied to a retrospective sample to act as the parent cohort. A prospective cohort was stratified into low and high-risk based on this tool, and received either a telephone or a traditional home medication review respectively.Results235 patients were included in final analysis (n = 113 prospective, n = 122 baseline controls). High-risk patients were more likely to be readmitted at 60 and 90 days in the baseline cohort (9/38 vs 7/84, p = 0.04 and 11/38 vs 9/84, p = 0.02 respectively), with a trend towards increased readmissions at 30 days (5/38 vs 3/84, p = 0.11). Logistic regression identified the risk tool as an independent predictor of hospital readmission (IRR 1.18, p = 0.04), whereas age and Charlson comorbidity were not (p = 0.80 and 0.31 respectively). There was no significant difference between the new model (incorporating phone reviews) and the parent cohort (p = 0.25).ConclusionOur risk score was able to identify those at highest risk of hospital readmission at 60 and 90 days. Utilising this risk score, a telephone HOMR for low-risk patients was a safe and efficient alternative to a traditional home review.     

The Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) as a Model Paradigm for the Management of Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders and Co-Occurring Psychiatric Disorders

ABSTRACT. Background: Integrated treatment for youth with substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring psychiatric disorders is recommended; however, there are few studies that have evaluated integrated treatment approaches. Methods: This paper includes a brief review of cognitive-behavioral and family therapies, since they have been demonstrated to be effective treatments for the disorders that commonly co-occur with substance use. It also describes how an integrated treatment paradigm has been implemented using one Empirically Supported Treatment, the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA). Results: There is existing research that supports the use of several A-CRA procedures to treat substance use and commonly co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Conclusions: In the absence of further research, it is reasonable in the interim to train clinicians in treatments that incorporate components that have been found to be effective for both substance use and commonly co-occurring psychiatric disorders. These treatments can then be adapted as needed based on an individual youth's set of problems. Further research is needed to test treatments for various combinations of SUDs and psychiatric disorders (i.e., depression, trauma-related problems, conduct disorder/behavior problems, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]).     

Comparison of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) in Predicting the Effectiveness of Drug Treatment Programs for Pregnant and Postpartum Women

This study conducts a within-subject comparison of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) to assess change in alcohol and other drug treatment outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women. Data are from 139 women who were pregnant or who had children under 11 months old and were admitted to residential drug treatment, then re-interviewed 6 months postdischarge (83% follow-up rate). The ASI and GAIN change measures were compared on their ability to detect changes in alcohol and drug use, medical and HIV risk issues, employment issues, legal problems, family and recovery environment characteristics, and psychological/emotional issues. The measures were similar in their ability to detect treatment outcomes, and ASI and GAIN change scores were moderately correlated with each other. The GAIN scales had equal or slightly higher coefficient alpha values than the ASI composite scores. The GAIN also includes an HIV risk scale, which is particularly important for pregnant and postpartum women. These results suggest that the GAIN is comparable with the ASI and can be used for treatment research with pregnant and postpartum women.     

《国家基本医疗保险、工伤保险和生育保险目录(2020 版)》儿童专用中成药现状调研

目的:通过对《国家基本医疗保险、工伤保险和生育保险目录(2020 版)》(以下简称2020 版《医保目录》)中儿童专用中 成药的现状进行调查,查找儿童专用中成药存在的问题并提出改进措施。方法:以2020 版《医保目录》所收录的75 种儿童专用 中成药的说明书作为研究对象,对说明书中各项信息进行收集、统计与分析。结果:2020 版《医保目录》儿科专用中成药以内科 用药为主(85.33%),处方药味组成以3 ~10 个为主(58.67%);含毒性成分药品34 种,其中11 种为非处方药(OTC);说明书中 不良反应、禁忌证、注意事项、药物相互作用标注“尚不明确冶的占比分别为74.67%、78.67%、21.33%、65.33%。结论:儿童专 用中成药说明书中关于患儿安全、合理用药的信息不够完善,亟需改进,建议将说明书的完善程度作为药品纳入国家医保目录 的考量指标之一。     

中药内服联合外浴治疗42例奥沙利铂致蓄积性周围神经毒性的临床分析

目的 观察中药内服联合外浴治疗奥沙利铂所致蓄积性周围神经毒性的临床疗效.方法 将84例应用奥沙利铂化疗发生蓄积性周围神经毒性的患者应用随机数字表法分为治疗组及对照组,每组各42例,治疗组应用中药内服联合外浴治疗,对照组应用维生素B1及甲钴胺治疗,疗程均为3周.观察两组治疗前后周围神经毒性分级变化、临床疗效及不良反应.结果 治疗组治疗后周围神经毒性分级变化分布与治疗前比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且两组治疗后比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),治疗组能明显改善周围神经毒性程度.两组总有效率比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),治疗组疗效明显优于对照组.两组均未发生明显不良反应.结论 中药内服联合外浴治疗奥沙利铂所致蓄积性周围神经毒性具有较好的临床疗效.     

Experiences of key stakeholders with the implementation of medication reviews in community pharmacies: A systematic review using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR)

BackgroundThough medication reviews have shown positive patient outcomes, they are still not widely implemented in community pharmacies. Published reviews on their implementation often include several other pharmacy services, making them non-specific. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to focus solely on the experiences of different stakeholders with the implementation of medication reviews will help to better understand relevant facilitators and barriers.ObjectivesTo critically appraise, synthesise and present the available evidence on experiences of key stakeholders with the implementation of medication reviews and to identify barriers and facilitators to its implementation in community pharmacies.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted in four databases for studies published in English, Spanish or German. Key search terms included: implementation, pharmac*, medication review, facilitator, barrier. Study selection, quality assessment and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. Findings were mapped directly against the constructs of the CFIR.ResultsOut of 924 retrieved records 24 articles from 9 countries met the inclusion criteria. Key facilitators identified included pharmacists' openness to practice change and a high degree of patient satisfaction post medication review. Attracting patients to the service was stated as challenging due to an unawareness of the scope and potential benefit of a medication review. The dominant barrier was inadequate remuneration, as it impacted all additional resourcing and ultimately the viability of the service. Further barriers included difficult professional relationships with doctors and little mandate from health authorities. Most reports were from the employed pharmacists’ perspective and concerned the inner setting, other perspectives were under-reported.ConclusionsResults of this systematic review illustrate different stakeholders' experiences and add to the understanding of challenges in the implementation process. Nevertheless, findings also highlight how scarce reporting of external stakeholders’ views is and that filling this gap can unveil hidden barriers and facilitators.RegistrationPROSPERO register (CRD 42019122836)     

Regulation of immune-related diseases by multiple factors of chromatin,exosomes, microparticles,vaccines, oxidative stress,dormancy, protein quality control,inflammation and microenvironment: a meeting report of 2017 International Workshop of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Initiative for Innovative Medicine on Tumor Immunology

Immune cells play key roles in cancer and chronic inflammatory disease. A better understanding of the mechanisms and risks will help develop novel target therapies. At the 2017 International Workshop of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Initiative for Innovative Medicine on Tumor Immunology held in Beijing, China, on May 12, 2017, a number of speakers reported new findings and ongoing studies on immune-related diseases such as cancer, fibrotic disease, diabetes, and others. A considerably insightful overview was provided on cancer immunity, tumor microenvironments, and new immunotherapy for cancer. In addition, chronic inflammatory diseases were discussed. These findings may offer new insights into targeted immunotherapy.