The Challenges Faced by Medical Personnel Misusing Drugs: A Phenomenological Study

Certain medicinal products, like pain medications and stress-reducing drugs, with therapeutic benefits but psychoactive side effects, may be misused, especially among medical personnel. This study used a phenomenological study design. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from r...

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Main Authors: Anita Fafa Dartey, Vivian Tackie, Ben Okon Inemesit, Beatrice Bella Johnson, Comfort Worna Lotse, Silvia Geraldo, Millicent Afeafa Afedzo, Alfred Ofori Agyemang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-03-01
Series:SAGE Open
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251326348
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author Anita Fafa Dartey
Vivian Tackie
Ben Okon Inemesit
Beatrice Bella Johnson
Comfort Worna Lotse
Silvia Geraldo
Millicent Afeafa Afedzo
Alfred Ofori Agyemang
author_facet Anita Fafa Dartey
Vivian Tackie
Ben Okon Inemesit
Beatrice Bella Johnson
Comfort Worna Lotse
Silvia Geraldo
Millicent Afeafa Afedzo
Alfred Ofori Agyemang
author_sort Anita Fafa Dartey
collection DOAJ
description Certain medicinal products, like pain medications and stress-reducing drugs, with therapeutic benefits but psychoactive side effects, may be misused, especially among medical personnel. This study used a phenomenological study design. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from respondents. The data gathered were transcribed verbatim, reviewed thoroughly by the researchers, and analyzed. The study presents evidence on healthcare workers’ drug misuse, including withdrawal challenges, life impacts, and coping strategies. It emphasizes professional help, diversional therapy, boundaries, and support. It highlights the challenges of seeking assistance and calls for comprehensive efforts, recommending policies in healthcare organizations to address this issue. Based on the study’s findings, a specialized training program to detect substance misuse, a dedicated hotline for reporting difficulties, as well as providing assistance and services for healthcare staff struggling with drug misuse are all recommended.
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spelling doaj-art-6639f37bb87f4e0dafbed519148fc4532025-08-20T02:56:30ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open2158-24402025-03-011510.1177/21582440251326348The Challenges Faced by Medical Personnel Misusing Drugs: A Phenomenological StudyAnita Fafa Dartey0Vivian Tackie1Ben Okon Inemesit2Beatrice Bella Johnson3Comfort Worna Lotse4Silvia Geraldo5Millicent Afeafa Afedzo6Alfred Ofori Agyemang7 University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, GhanaCertain medicinal products, like pain medications and stress-reducing drugs, with therapeutic benefits but psychoactive side effects, may be misused, especially among medical personnel. This study used a phenomenological study design. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from respondents. The data gathered were transcribed verbatim, reviewed thoroughly by the researchers, and analyzed. The study presents evidence on healthcare workers’ drug misuse, including withdrawal challenges, life impacts, and coping strategies. It emphasizes professional help, diversional therapy, boundaries, and support. It highlights the challenges of seeking assistance and calls for comprehensive efforts, recommending policies in healthcare organizations to address this issue. Based on the study’s findings, a specialized training program to detect substance misuse, a dedicated hotline for reporting difficulties, as well as providing assistance and services for healthcare staff struggling with drug misuse are all recommended.https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251326348
spellingShingle Anita Fafa Dartey
Vivian Tackie
Ben Okon Inemesit
Beatrice Bella Johnson
Comfort Worna Lotse
Silvia Geraldo
Millicent Afeafa Afedzo
Alfred Ofori Agyemang
The Challenges Faced by Medical Personnel Misusing Drugs: A Phenomenological Study
SAGE Open
title The Challenges Faced by Medical Personnel Misusing Drugs: A Phenomenological Study
title_full The Challenges Faced by Medical Personnel Misusing Drugs: A Phenomenological Study
title_fullStr The Challenges Faced by Medical Personnel Misusing Drugs: A Phenomenological Study
title_full_unstemmed The Challenges Faced by Medical Personnel Misusing Drugs: A Phenomenological Study
title_short The Challenges Faced by Medical Personnel Misusing Drugs: A Phenomenological Study
title_sort challenges faced by medical personnel misusing drugs a phenomenological study
url https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251326348
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