Researchers: Professor Barbro Gustafsson, Dr Regina Santamäki Fisher, AH and personell from PAF, Åland University of Applied Sciences and PAF

Problem gambling, gambling dependency and gambling addiction as described by health and social workers

in focus groups interviews - Gapro care Åland

PhD Anette Häggblom

24 August,

Åbo, NFHK 2011

Concepts

Gambling addiction,

Gambling dependency, and

Problem gambling

Background

Widespread accepted governmental and nongovernmental financed activity

Increase of social and health problems

Costly

Risk

Three groups of persons with high risk

Positive reinforcement

Biological aspects

Motive

Aim

To provide an overview of health professionals’ and social workers experiences of treating persons with gambling problems, gambling dependency and gambling addiction.

To describe the theoretical basis they used including definitions of gambling problems and the evidence supporting current treatment activities.

Method

Focus groups interviews

Social workers – 3, Mental health workers – 4

Nurses – 4, Physicians - 2

Open ended questions:

- ”In your opinion, when do you define a patient having a gambling problem and/or being addicted to gambling”?

- ”How does a gambling problem/addiction occur and why”?

Content analysis of the transcribed verbatim interviews

Results

Categories Tema

1. Conception of gambling problems, dependency and addiction 2. Experiences of gambling

Lacking determination to encounter with gamblers – a none given mission

3. Treatment and care 4. Need for education and training

Conception of gambling problems, dependency and addiction;

Defining gambling

Risk groups, risk factors

Reasons to play

Protective factors

Consequences

Attitudes

Experiences of gambling

Own gambling experiences

Friends,

Patients

Treatment and care

Identification

Short comings

Need for education and training

Limitation of knowledge

Need for consequent screening

Need of guidelines

Conclusion

Health- and social services deliver: resources,

strategies including guidelines, recommendations etc.

In-service training to increase knowledge and clinical skills