Rationale, design, and implementation of a clinical trial of a mindfulness-based relapse prevention protocol for the treatment of women with comorbid post traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder.

Comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUD) commonly co-occur and is associated with a more complex clinical presentation with poorer clinical outcomes when compared with either disorder alone, and untreated PTSD can predict relapse to substance abuse. A number of integrated treatment approaches addressing symptoms of both PTSD and SUD concurrently demonstrate that both disorders can safely and effectively be treated concurrently. However, attrition and SUD relapse rates remain high and there is need to further develop new treatment approaches. Innovative approaches such as mindfulness meditation (MM) successfully used in the treatment of SUD may offer additional benefits for individuals with SUD complicated with PTSD. Specifically, Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) integrates coping skills from cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention therapy with MM practices, raising awareness of substance use triggers and reactive behavioral patterns, and teaching skillful coping responses. Here we present the design and methods for the "Mindfulness Meditation for the Treatment of Women with comorbid PTSD and SUD" study, a Stage 1b behavioral development study that modifies MBRP treatment to address both PTSD and SUD in a community setting. This study is divided into three parts: revising the existing evidence-based manual, piloting the intervention, and testing the new manual in a randomized controlled pilot trial in women with comorbid PTSD and SUD enrolled in a community-based SUD treatment program.

A preceptoria na rede básica da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro: opinião dos profissionais de Saúde / Student supervision in primary care clinics in the Rio de Janeiro City Health Department: opinions by healthcare professionals

A formação de profissionais de saúde com as competências para prestação de cuidados básicos deve ser iniciada na graduação. Entretanto, o treinamento na rede básica de saúde (RBS) ainda encontra barreiras nas esferas docente, discente e nas unidades das Secretarias Municipais de Saúde (SMS). Considerando a relevância do papel dos preceptores na formação dos estudantes da área da saúde, avaliamos a opinião dos profissionais de saúde da RBS da SMS do Rio de Janeiro sobre a atividade de preceptoria. Um questionário foi respondido por 351 profissionais de saúde de 13 das 67 unidades da RBS. Destes, 77 por cento consideram que a preceptoria faz parte das atribuições do profissional e 61 por cento gostariam de assumir esta tarefa. Várias dificuldades foram apontadas, incluindo problemas estruturais e de recursos humanos. Os resultados responsabilizam, de alguma forma, as instituições de ensino superior (IES) e o Estado pela pouca valorização e estímulo às ações de preceptoria, na medida em que apontam a necessidade de rever as condições de trabalho e de ensino na RBS. Destacam-se a melhoria dos salários e da infraestrutura e a oportunidade de capacitação profissional, o que implica parcerias efetivas entre as IES e as SMS.

Training of health professionals with the necessary skills in primary care should begin during undergraduate medical education. However, training in the primary care network still faces obstacles among faculty, students, and the primary care clinics operated by municipal health departments. Considering the relevant role of supervisors in training students in health-related fields, we investigated the opinions of healthcare professionals in the primary care network in Rio de Janeiro concerning their student supervision activities. A total of 351 health professionals from 13 of the 67 primary care clinics answered a questionnaire. Of these, 77 percent felt that student supervision is part of their responsibilities, and 61 percent said they would like to play this role. Various difficulties were identified, including structural and human resources problems. According to the findings, medical schools and the government are responsible for the under-valuing of student supervision, emphasizing the need to review the working and teaching conditions in the primary care network. The results also highlight improvements in wages and infrastructure and the opportunity for professional advancement, requiring effective partnerships between medical schools and the Municipal Health Department.