title: Comorbidity training needs at a state psychiatric hospital.
abstract: This study explored training issues relevant to work with comorbid clients (those with both psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses) among members of a psychiatric hospital clinical staff (N=147). Respondents reported that they had received limited training for working with comorbid or substance abusing clients; they perceived comorbid clients as presenting with particular concerns, especially regarding referral to treatment services and management of acting-out behaviors; and they attached great importance to the need for training in comorbidity. With high proportions of clients at psychiatric hospitals being comorbid, it is imperative that staff members receive training to deal with substance abuse and comorbidity. These results suggest that such training has not been available, but it is needed and wanted.
authors.affiliation: Alaska Comprehensive and Specialized Evaluation Services, University of Alaska Anchorage, 99508-8224, USA. afcb@uaa.alaska.edu
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brems
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bowers
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lauver
authors.forename: Virginia A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Mongeau
mesh_terms: D000413:Alaska; D015897:Comorbidity; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D000078329:Workforce