Shared care methadone clinics a survey of patient satisfaction behaviour change and staff views

We present the findings of a survey of practice staff and clients' views an d experiences of general practice based drug addiction services, before and after the introduction of shared care; and interviews among 52 clients abo ut their views of current and past treatments and resultant behaviour chang es. We also conducted a random note audit, and urine screens among intervie wees. introducing shared care did not diminish high client satisfaction and positive staff views despite more than twice as many clients consequently being treated in the practice. Interviewees reported substantial reductions in crime and illicit drug use, and more positive views about maintenance than previous reducing treatment s. Whilst introducing shared care also significantly reduced drug related w orkload outside the clinic, uptake of preventative health opportunities rem ained static. The random note audit and urine screens supported our finding s. We conclude that shared care opiate misuse clinics provide popular and effe ctive services.