EXPERIENCES OF MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT - Learning & considerations for practice

This time it • Waiting times are still variable - prioritising widening of drop-in was, I couldn’t believe how easy it was “I always get the letter, I know basically.” exactly which comes from her clinics across days and localities because of the colour of the letter through the envelope window, I’ll know to open and see what date • Participants liked to be contacted in different ways and “It vari. [...] CHOICE Initial Choice of medication dose Choice of Changing keyworker medication MAT STANDARDS INFORMATION • Only 10 participants aware of the MAT standards when “That’s something they started the evaluation they really need to do, you should walk into the room and there should • People must be informed about these initially and be on the wall ‘Medical Assisted throughout their treatment journey T. [...] You could hear and feel how participants felt about workers based on their tone of voice, facial expressions, and general body language.” - • Manage duty cover and change of workers properly SDF Peer Researcher “I feel like, I'm just “She is someone that you feel you can be • Imperative to trauma-informed care - staff need you know, a number now, you really honest with and be truthful. [...] I did used to have regular contact from my • People must be offered all the same choices and supports drugs worker and it's just, just as other forms of MAT kinda stopped.” • Contact can be limited beyond monthly injections “They need to look into the mental health aspect of it, because you’re just kind of left, and oh you’re on the Buvidal jag now, that’s you kind of cured, and • Concerns about c. [...] • Observational component gave unique understanding of logistics, experiences and feelings of people in MAT in real time FINAL • Researchers experienced the environments, journeys and interactions THOUGHTS with people and impact these had & • The findings were enriched by peer researchers’ approach and REFLECTIONS relationships they build with participants • Lead researcher became an outlet for ta.