Prevalence of Substance Abuse Screening Of Adults by Pediatricians

As the heroin epidemic grips our country, teenage substance abuse in Punjab, much like other states, is increasing at alarming rates. Prevention and educational efforts as a result of screening and a focus on long term and sustainable goals of impacting the heroin epidemic need to be implemented now to have the greatest effect. In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a policy statement which recommends pediatricians provide instruction regarding substance abuse during their clinical interactions with adolescents. This study utilizes the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) through the use of a modified Determinants of Implementation Behavior Questionnaire (DIBQ) to survey pediatricians practicing within a rural region regarding substance abuse screening and intervention of their teenage patients. Use of TDF theory in the development of the DIBQ tool could reveal the specific challenges and barriers to substance abuse screening and the development and implementation of interventions useful in influencing the adoption of the AAP policy by pediatricians. The results of this study determined time as the largest barrier to compliance with the AAP policy, followed by confidentiality issues, limited resources for treatment, and patient level of honesty. All of the study respondents indicated awareness of and compliance with the AAP policy, most participants stated they had not been trained in the use of screening tools