The provision of services to dual diagnosis clients in Malta : professionals’ experiences

Abstract

This study aimed to examine professionals’ perspectives on a dual diagnosis, including the barriers and challenges experienced in their work, their personal skills and overall service efficacy in delivering effective treatment services. Eight participants with relevant experience working in various agencies in the Maltese context were recruited through purposive sampling, utilising inclusion and exclusion criteria. Psychologists, doctors, social workers and nurses were recruited from governmental and non-governmental services offering drug treatment in Malta and Gozo. Thematic analysis was then employed to extract the most prominent themes from a set of eight semi-structured interviews. This study’s findings highlight a general consensus on the definition of a dual diagnosis, including its complexity and high prevalence in the local context. A focus was furthermore placed on the biopsychosocial approach, whereby all participants agreed to its significance particularly when treating a dual diagnosis. Professionals’ viewpoints of the mental health and substance use services available did vary; acknowledging the development and progression of services in the right direction, yet emphasising a much-needed improvement. It has been concluded that the most significant issues include the clear lack of public education around the issue of a dual diagnosis, the persistent stigma that professionals need to combat, as well as the need for efficient addictions related training to healthcare professionals. The results from this study have important implications for policy discussions regarding treatment provision and shed light on the need for more local research to better enhance treatment services to address the complex needs of this often-stigmatised client group.