Patient satisfaction with methadone maintenance treatment: the relevance of participation in treatment and social functioning.

BACKGROUND

Patients' satisfaction with methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is a key measure of treatment quality. The main objective of the present study is to identify independent factors that contribute significantly to satisfaction with MMT.

METHOD

Participants were a representative sample of methadone-maintained patients (n=123) from the region of La Rioja. Satisfaction with MMT was assessed with the Verona Service Satisfaction Scale for Methadone Treatment (VSSS-MT), and mental health status with the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Multivariate linear- and logistic-regression analyses were performed to identify variables independently associated with satisfaction with MMT.

RESULTS

Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the variables independently associated with VSSS-MT total score were number of hours per week that the centre dispensed methadone (β=0.193), number of patients per centre (β=0.233), perceived frequency of receiving information about methadone dose changes (β=0.246), perceived influence on these changes (β=0.194), and Social Dysfunction subscale of GHQ-28 (β=-0.179). Multivariate binary logistic regression showed that the variables independently associated with the likelihood of being satisfied with MMT were number of years of education completed (OR=0.835), number of patients per centre (OR=1.009), perceived frequency of receiving information about methadone dose changes (OR=1.571), and Social Dysfunction subscale of GHQ-28 (OR=0.748).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients from larger centres, who perceive themselves as participating to some extent in treatment decisions, and showing lower deterioration in social functioning are more likely to be satisfied with MMT.