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Professionals’ Views on Challenges in Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment during COVID-19 Pandemic in Finland

Author

Listed:
  • Eeva Ekqvist

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33100 Tampere, Finland)

  • Tuija Karsimus

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33100 Tampere, Finland)

  • Arja Ruisniemi

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33100 Tampere, Finland
    Department of Health and Welfare, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, 28130 Pori, Finland)

  • Katja Kuusisto

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33100 Tampere, Finland)

Abstract

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 (an acute respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus) has had harmful effects on people in need of special support. People with problematic substance use are recognized as such a group. The pandemic has raised the need for sufficient treatment and services during these unpredictable conditions. At the same time, it poses severe challenges to their production and provision. The purpose of the study was to use content analysis to qualitatively examine Finnish professionals’ ( N = 22) views on (1) the challenges posed by COVID-19 in working in inpatient substance abuse treatment, (2) how these challenges have been addressed, and (3) what the consequences of the challenges and the solutions to them are. The findings confirmed that COVID-19 has caused drastic changes in the organization of treatment and daily practices. Professionals experience challenges in preventing infection from spreading into and within treatment units. They also describe difficulties in applying social distancing in treatment that is based on therapeutic communities. The pandemic has also challenged communication and co-worker support among professionals. These challenges have led to practical solutions that, in turn, have their own consequences for treatment practices. We conclude that the quality of treatment has to some extent been impaired because of the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Eeva Ekqvist & Tuija Karsimus & Arja Ruisniemi & Katja Kuusisto, 2022. "Professionals’ Views on Challenges in Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment during COVID-19 Pandemic in Finland," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:13:y:2022:i:1:p:6-:d:751512
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Satu Kalliola & Tuula Heiskanen, 2022. "Challenges in Work and Employment during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-5, November.
    2. Janika Kosonen & Eeva Ekqvist & Katja Kuusisto, 2022. "Reducing Problematic Substance Use under Exceptional Circumstances—Effects of the COVID-19 Restrictions on Inpatient Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Finland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-12, September.

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