Overarching theme(s) | Theme(s) | Subtheme(s) | Frequency | ||
Level of interaction | What is important in treatment | What makes it important | No interviews | No references | Total no references/theme |
Person who uses drugs and the professional | ‘Being treated like a human being’ (Humanised care) | Sharing decisions | 8 | 36 | 219 |
Tailoring treatment to own needs | 19 | 41 | |||
Power differences between people who use drugs and staff | 2 | 6 | |||
Feeling judged | 13 | 45 | |||
Not feeling pushed | 9 | 32 | |||
Feeling respected | 12 | 43 | |||
Feeling ‘normal’ vs an ‘addict’ | 8 | 16 | |||
‘I know she’s on my side’ (Individual bond/connection with the professional) | Feeling trusted | 3 | 4 | 159 | |
Being approachable | 10 | 29 | |||
Willing to listen/Not having a ‘proper chat’ | 11 | 27 | |||
Being dependable | 4 | 12 | |||
Caring about me | 17 | 41 | |||
Feeling understood | 10 | 15 | |||
Being kind | 9 | 25 | |||
Leaning on professional | 1 | 1 | |||
‘Putting too much’ on professional | 2 | 5 | |||
‘He knows what he’s doing’ (Professionals’ experience and knowledge) | Having specific resources for people who use drugs | 6 | 12 | 76 | |
Having staff with lived experience of drug use | 6 | 15 | |||
Having staff with knowledge of drug use | 8 | 49 | |||
Person who uses drugs and the general practice | ‘You need it under one roof’ (Holistic care) | Going beyond drug use | 18 | 52 | 74 |
Liaising with other services | 7 | 15 | |||
Having mental health resources | 3 | 7 | |||
‘Feels like family’ (Familiarity) | Knowing who I am | 21 | 95 | 95 | |
‘They’ve bent over backwards to help me’ (Professionals’ commitment and availability to help) | Having help when in need | 15 | 53 | 82 | |
Having time to talk | 7 | 13 | |||
Easiness to book appointments | 5 | 16 | |||
‘I don’t have to meet any other people who use drugs’ (Anonymity) | Feeling anonymous | 6 | 16 | 53 | |
Distance from other people who use drugs | 9 | 28 | |||
Moving on | 1 | 9 | |||
‘Being close to my house’ (Location) | Convenience of location | 8 | 13 | 13 | |
‘They keep in constant contact’ (Collaborative teamwork) | Information sharing within clinical team | 8 | 16 | 16 | |
‘The prescription is so tied down’ (Flexibility and changes around the treatment plan) | Changes within the service | 1 | 1 | 96 | |
Being flexible | 14 | 55 | |||
Prescribing routine | 12 | 40 |
OST, opioid substitution treatment.