![]() Rather, three-quarters of clinicians provided problem gambling treatment themselves. Referrals to specialty problem gambling treatment occurred infrequently only 11.7% of clinicians referred patients to needed services often or almost always. Of those who did screen, most did so informally only 2% reported using a standardized problem gambling screening tool. Only 16% of clinicians reported that they often or almost always screened for problem gambling. However, many felt they had insufficient time to screen for problem gambling and believed they had other more important issues to address (see Figure). ![]() ![]() The majority of participants were willing to address problem gambling and felt that a brief problem gambling screen would be a useful part of their routine clinical practice. Less than half of participants indicated they understood the causes and/or factors that maintain problem gambling and most were unaware of available problem gambling screening and assessment tools. Only 12.5% of clinicians reported ever being trained in screening and responding to problem gambling. The researchers analyzed and compared the responses using descriptive statistics. Clinicians also answered questions that assessed their behaviors related to screening, referral, and treatment of problem gambling. The participants completed a self-report questionnaire that assessed knowledge of and attitudes towards problem gambling – including screening and assessment. The researchers recruited 281 mental health clinicians (e.g., nurses, medical staff, psychologists, social workers) from a range of adult mental health service and treatment sites throughout Victoria, Australia. How do mental health clinicians screen for and respond to problem gambling? What attitudes do mental health clinicians have toward problem gambling? This week, The WAGER reviews a study by Victoria Manning and colleagues that examined mental health clinicians’ attitudes and behaviors toward identifying and responding to problem gambling. Clinicians – including mental health practitioners – are aptly positioned to identify and respond to problem gambling, although screening is infrequent in treatment settings. However, many individuals experiencing problem gambling seek treatment for other mental health concerns that often co-occur with gambling problems (e.g., affective disorders, psychotic disorders, substance use disorders). Problem gambling often goes undetected and untreated.
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