Citation

Peleg A, Peleg R, Shvartzman P. Harefuah 1999; 137(7-8): 278-81, 351.

Affiliation

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Unit, Dept. of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Israel Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12415969

Abstract

Substance abuse is one of the most serious problems in Israel. Recent studies show the situation is getting worse. The deleterious outcomes of psychoactive substance abuse include crime, car accidents, physical and mental illness, violence and work injuries. 48 family physicians in the Negev completed a questionnaire which included training, diagnostic and treatment skills, attitudes, knowledge and need for training in this field. 38 family physicians (81%) had had no training, most (96%) indicated the importance of such training. 34 (71%) said that their medical skills could not cope with the problems of addiction, and 29 (64.5%) claimed that the quality of care of addict patients is reduced because of lack of knowledge and diagnostic skills. These findings support the conclusion that efforts should be invested in training family physicians in the field of psychoactive drugs, licit and illicit.

Language: he