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Survey of client satisfaction with methadone maintenance programmes

St Luke’s Hospital, Middlesbrough, e-mail: drmrkumar{at}hotmail.com

Madhuri Rajwal, Specialist Registrar in General Adult Psychiatry

St Luke’s Hospital, Middlesbrough

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

The aim of the study was to elicit clients’ satisfaction with the methadone maintenance service and their views regarding opiate users not in the service. A self-completion questionnaire with 40 questions covering various aspects of service delivery was given to clients on this programme.

RESULTS

Of a total of 52 questionnaires, 31 (60%) were returned. There was a high level of overall satisfaction (93%) with the service and staff, but there were significant problems related to prolonged waiting times and access to ancillary services. There were also practical difficulties related to prescriptions. Over half of the clients (54%) used additional illicit opiates.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

It is likely that addressing identified problem areas may influence treatment outcome in this challenging group. Staff should maintain optimism in helping the clients who, as seen by this survey, value their advice.