Nurse Practitioners as the Agents of Change in the Treatment of Alcohol and Drug Dependence

Online, June 1, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Quincy, MA-May 24, 2010- Punyamurtula Kishore, MD, MPH, FASAM, president and founder of Preventive Medicine Associates, Inc. (PMAI), developed the Massachusetts Model which utilizes nurse practitioners as agents of change in the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence. Manu Thakral, lead nurse practitioner at Quincy International Health Center, a PMAI practice, presented the model at the National Conference for Nurse Practitioners. This annual conference took place May 19-22 in Chicago, IL, this year and had approximately 1100 attendees from across the nation.

The poster, which was co-authored by Dr. Punyamurtula Kishore and Manu Thakral, highlighted the contrast between the emerging Massachusetts model practiced by Preventive Medicine Associates to the established Minnesota model and the Therapeutic Community Approach. In this model, individuals with substance abuse disorders are treated on an outpatient basis in a primary care practice focusing on the physical, mental and social consequences of the disease.

In contrast to these established methodologies, the innovative Massachusetts Model views dependence as a disease that can be treated in a primary care setting. The model incorporates evidence-based SBIRT technologies with the key components being constant, long-term monitoring of progress by performing surveillance of the disease state and brief interventions by the providers.

The model encourages family involvement and community participation. On demand access to care through providers is allowed in the family practice setting in contrast to the conventional crisis center referral. This treatment is accepted by the health insurance industry as a safe and effective model of care.

Traditionally, nurse practitioners have made critical contributions to the treatment of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes which require education, positive reinforcement, holistic assessment of patients' lifestyles, and frequent follow up care. Nurse practitioners are used effectively in the Massachusetts Model to bridge the gap between evidence-based practice and self-help principles in the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence.

The purpose of the National Conference for Nurse Practitioners was to offer interactive tutorials, presentations, and practical workshops that promote clinical excellence and improve the quality of care that health care practitioners provide.

"I explained how the Nurse Practitioner's role in the Massachusetts Model is critical to the concept of alcohol and drug dependence as a chronic disease that can be treated in a primary care setting," said Thakral.

Dr. Kishore's career has been built on the idea of blending practices to treat addiction. At PMAI, he treats addictions with this Massachusetts model or "sobriety maintenance" method, as he calls it.

Dr. Kishore has been employing nurse practitioners as the primary care provider in his practices for over fourteen years and has trained numerous practitioners to perform in this role. At PMAI, nurse practitioners deliver a level of patient care that is traditionally done by physicians in other primary care practices and have been highly successful in this capacity.

PMAI has treated more than 200,000 patients using this method in cities and towns throughout Massachusetts.

About Preventive Medicine Associates, Inc.
Preventive Medicine Associates, Inc. is a group of family practices located through Massachusetts, focused on bringing the best care to their patients and community. Their doctors and staff are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous diseases and conditions, and manage both common and complex problems. They are also trained to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments affecting patients of all ages. Preventive Medicine Associates doctors work in the science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles and research for disease and injury prevention. For more information visit preventivemedicineassociates.net
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