‘I feel like a pinball’: patient experiences with a coordinated treatment model in dual diagnosis

Abstract

To examine dual diagnosis patients’ experiences with cross-sectoral interventions in SPOR, a coordinated treatment model between municipal substance use centres and regional outpatient psychiatry in the Capital Region of Denmark. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants with dual diagnosis, currently receiving cross-sectoral SPOR interventions in their treatment. Participants experienced inadequate cross-sector communication, which made them feel responsible for ensuring coherence within their treatment. Network meetings were considered important by the participants, but these were not conducted stringently and were therefore often not experienced as helpful. The contact person had a considerable influence on the participants’ experiences of feeling safe and cared for during treatment, and it was considered particularly helpful if the contact person was mindful of the participants’ struggle to balance substance use, psychiatric symptoms, and life. The findings suggest that good collaborative practices, such as effective cross-sector communication, network meetings, and continuous feedback, alongside a trusting, therapeutic alliance with their contact person, are considered meaningful for patients with dual diagnosis. This aligns with existing research, which emphasise the challenges in achieving continuous collaboration between hospital-based and municipality-based services. Not applicable.