SLOs:

• Discuss how primary health care can be involved in lessening the burden of mental illness, including substance use disorders

• Define the concept of "task-shifting"

• Describe the WHO mhGAP principles of care and priority conditions

• Summarize the science behind substance abuse and its possible effects on health and social functioning

General Instructions:

In this activity, you will demonstrate your understanding of the foundational concepts of integrating substance use disorder services in primary care settings.

Step 1: Select and Reflect

• Review the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) Intervention Guide, focusing on the sections related to substance use disorders and their integration into primary care.

• Examine the concept of "task-shifting" in healthcare delivery, particularly as it applies to mental health and substance use disorders.

• Study the neurobiology of addiction and the evidence base for substance use disorder interventions in primary care settings.

• Review the current global burden of substance use disorders and the potential role of primary care in addressing this burden.

Step 2: Respond

Based on your readings, post your thoughts (300-500 words) addressing the following:

• Analyze how primary care can effectively integrate substance use disorder services using the task-shifting approach

• Discuss the WHO mhGAP principles of care and how they can be implemented in primary care settings

• Explain the neurobiological basis of substance use disorders and how this understanding can inform treatment approaches in primary care

• Propose evidence-based strategies for primary care providers to address the burden of substance use disorders in their communities

Step 3: Share

To share your work, click on the "Add a new discussion topic" button under this post and paste your work into the "Message" box. Make sure to reference others' intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B.: references are excluded from word counts.