We cannot ignore the role that substances play in physical health and behavioral health. As such, we need to have the broadest approach to substance use possible, which means addressing substances in all facets of society, especially medical care settings. Addressing substance use in medical care settings is part of health promotion, prevention, and early intervention.
Solutions: Training and Collaboration
Teaching healthcare practitioners about treating people who have problems with substances will advance patient-centered care and will improve health for individuals and communities. Furthermore, to successfully address these issues, healthcare practitioners must engage in Interprofessional Collaborative Practice, defined by the World Health Organization as: “When multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds work together with patients, families, carers, and communities to deliver the highest quality of care.” A recent report on Interprofessional Collaborative Practice espouses its importance in advancing patient centered and community/population oriented health care systems. I have been teaching…
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