Characterizing Multisystem Barriers to Women ’s Residential SUD Treatment: A Multisite Qualitative Analysis in Los Angeles

This study aimed to understand, from the viewpoints of SUD treatment providers, how divergent values and communication barriers adversely affect women ’s residential SUD treatment. We conducted qualitative semistructured interviews with 18 SUD treatment clinicians and six directors from four women’s residential SUD treatment programs. Using a thematic analysis framework, we identified salient themes across specified codes. Analysis revealed si x main themes, suggesting differing values and communication barriers across the SUD, PSC, and CW systems adversely affect the provision of SUD treatment. For differing values, three main themes emerged: (a) unaddressed trauma and fear of mental health treatment seeking; (b) perceptions of mothers w ith a SUD; and (c) the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) timeline as a barrier to SUD treatment provision. For communication barriers, three themes emerged: (a) inadequate communication and responsiveness with PSC and CW systems adversely affect treatment coordination, induce patient stress, and treatment disengagement; (b) lack of PSC and CW communication regarding child visitation planning adversely affects treatment motivation and retention; and (c) competing ASFA, PSC, and CW priorities and inadequate cross-system communication adversely affect treatment planning. Treatment providers f ace significant barriers in providing effective treatment to women simultaneously involved in the CW and PSC systems. Aligning values and addressi...
Source: Journal of Urban Health - Category: Health Management Source Type: research