Aim
To evaluate experience of women attending forget me not clinic and what they have found useful and what has to be improved.
Background
To fully understand the impact of addiction as a disease, one must acknowledge its effect on such populations as women and the gender-specific issues unique to them. Both psychological and social factors contribute to women developing addiction. Research has shown that women who are addicted require a specialized treatment approach that allows them to explore and deal with the social and psychological issues influencing their lives. Forget me not clinic was established in Nov 2013 with the following aims : facilitate and empower women only recovery environment, easy access to those women to sexual health service clinic, provide support and easy access to women already attending sexual health clinic who may have substance misuse problem.
Methods
Data for this study was collected by convenient sampling and face to face interviews with patients which were voice recorded and later transcribed. The number of women attending were 40 in this clinic at the time of the study and 10 out of them were interviewed which represented 25% of the total sample. The data was manually analysed to pick common themes.
Results
The results showed that all women attending the clinic found it useful and supported by the keyworkers running the clinic. The majority preferred coming separately to this clinic so that they do not mix with current users of drugs in the main site. They felt supported in reducing dose of methadone or buprenorphine. The improvements suggested were in the areas of funding, clinic not to be closed, more staff members and separate administration team for this clinic.
Conclusion
The survey has helped us to evaluate patient’s perspective how this women only clinic has supported and helped in reduction of drug use and social issues. It has also helped in identifying areas where the services can be improved.
Co-Authors
Ms Rea Wright recovery support worker, Ms Carla Silva recovery support worker, Dr Christos Kouimtsidis Consultant Psychiatrist in Addictions Ihear Partnership Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust
Conflicts of interest:
Funding Sources: Ihear Partnership
No conflict of interest
