title: Opioid substitution therapy--a study of GP participation in prescribing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Opioid substitution therapy (OST) is the most commonly provided treatment for heroin dependence in Australia and has been shown to be effective. Access to OST outside of specialised public clinics and prisons relies on the participation of general practitioners. In Australia there is a shortage of GPs available to prescribe OST, which results in an unmet need for OST services. Studies have reported barriers to GP involvement in drug and alcohol work and there is little research looking at the perceptions and experiences of GPs involved in prescribing OST.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with eight experienced prescribers of OST in general practice settings in South Australia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants described similar positive and negative aspects associated with prescribing OST. Some participants commenced prescribing in such a manner as to limit the scope of their involvement. Ceasing OST prescribing was not necessarily linked to negative experiences. Exprescribers indicated that they were unlikely to recommence prescribing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has limited generalisability due to the small sample size but it does highlight some insights that can be gained from talking to experienced OST prescribers.
authors: Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia. jane.scarborough@health.sa.gov.au
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Scarborough
authors: Jaklin
authors: J
authors: Eliott
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: Braunack-Mayer