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http://hdl.handle.net/11054/126
Title: | Caring for clients with dual diagnosis in rural communities in Australia: the experience of mental health professionals. |
Authors: | Deans, Cecil Soar, R. |
Issue Date: | 2005 |
Publisher: | Blackwell Publishing |
Place of publication: | London |
Publication Title: | Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing |
Volume: | 12 |
Issue: | 3 |
Start Page: | 268 |
End Page: | 274 |
Abstract: | This paper identifies and describes the experiences of 13 rural mental health professionals who care for clients diagnosed with a mental illness and a coexisting alcohol and other drug disorder (dual diagnosis). Dual diagnosis is a common problem which is often poorly understood and managed by mental health professionals. The effect of excessive substance use on a person's mental well-being can present as a diagnostic challenge as each condition may mask symptoms of the other. The authors utilized a phenomenological approach to discover the experiences of a group of mental health professionals working in rural communities in Victoria, Australia. Caring for clients diagnosed with dual diagnosis was found to be a complex and stressful role that involved high levels of skill and knowledge. Despite the fact that health professionals in rural areas are expected to deliver the most appropriate care to individuals with a dual diagnosis, a number of these rural health professionals have limited preparation and experience in dealing with arising clinical diagnosis issues. Clinicians experience frustration, resentment and powerlessness in their attempt to understand their clients' drug misuse whilst simultaneously endeavouring to provide a quality mental health service. |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11054/126 |
ISSN: | 1351-0126 |
Internal ID Number: | 00112 |
Health Subject: | COMORBIDITY DUAL DIAGNOSIS MENTAL HEALTH RURAL HEALTH SUBSTANCE USE ALCOHOL |
Type: | Journal Article Article |
Appears in Collections: | Research Output |
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