Integrating substance use disorder screening in primary healthcare in Georgia: online survey of providers’ attitudes, knowledge, practice, and perceived barriers

The study aimed to explore the attitudes, knowledge, and practices of primary healthcare providers in Georgia regarding screening and management of patients with substance use disorders (SUD). An online survey of primary healthcare providers, descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and odds ratio calculations were used. The final sample consisted of 96 providers, vastly females, from 19 primary healthcare clinics in 7 cities. About one in five believed that family doctors need not systematically screen patients for risky or problematic use of any psychoactive substances. Only 1%–4% reported feeling fully ready to identify patients with illicit substance use concerns. Attitudes and practices varied depending on the type of substance being assessed, with the majority of respondents stating that illicit substance use is not a priority area and falls outside of their responsibilities. The most cited barrier for SUD screening was providers’ belief that patients do not truthfully disclose their substance use. Almost a third believed that people who use drugs were criminals. Our study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve provider knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to SUD screening and management, with a focus on addressing stigma and implementing evidence-based screening protocols in primary healthcare settings.