title: Systems analysis of a drug dependency service in London: St George's Hospital.
abstract: Elements of a systems approach to analysing service delivery are outlined. A specific example--St George's Hospital Addiction Behaviour Department--is detailed. Dynamics of the system--from the client's perspective and the workers viewpoint--demonstrate some of the ways in which emotional conflict surrounding the task is handled. The conclusions focus on what might constitute adaptive resolution of systems dilemmas as well as highlighting the public-health concerns relating to AIDS which, we argue, compromise the primary task of an addiction service at the present time.
authors.affiliation: Division of Addictive Behaviour, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Ghodse
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCartney
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000639:trends*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000639:trends; D012307:Risk Factors; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000639:trends*; D013597:Systems Analysis; D014504:Urban Health / Q000639:trends*