Supporting General Practice in Alcohol and Other Drug Care

Adelaide PHN recently hosted its Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Education Series for Doctors and General Practice Managers working in the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) region.

The two-part series brought together primary care professionals to strengthen their confidence and capability in identifying and responding to risky and harmful substance use among patients accessing general practice.

The training was developed by Dr Chris Holmwood and Dr Matthew Stevens, who shared their extensive clinical and research expertise.

Chris is an Addiction Medicine Specialist and a former GP, who has a long-standing interest in helping clinicians provide care for people with substance use problems.

Matthew is a Senior Research Specialist at Adelaide University and Flinders University, whose work focuses on biomedical, public health, and psychological approaches to the identification, prevention and treatment of substance use disorders and behavioural addictions.

Chris and Matthew delivered an informative program that supported participants to build their knowledge and strengthen their responses to patients experiencing harmful substance use.

The series continues over the next two months, with the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) sessions being held on 14 and 28 May, followed by the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) on 10 and 24 June.