This document outlines a study conducted by researchers at Åland University, focusing on health professionals' experiences in treating gambling problems, addiction, and dependency. It highlights key themes such as definitions of gambling issues, treatment experiences, and the need for improved education and guidelines in handling gambling addiction. The results emphasize the necessity of enhancing resources and strategies in health and social services to better address these concerns.

1. Researchers: Professor Barbro
Gustafsson, Dr Regina Santamäki
Fisher, AH and personell from PAF,
Åland University of Applied Sciences
and PAF
Problem gambling, gambling
dependency and gambling addiction as
described by health and social workers
in focus groups interviews
- Gapro care Åland
PhD Anette Häggblom
24 August,
Åbo, NFHK 2011

2. Concepts
 Gambling addiction,
 Gambling dependency, and
 Problem gambling

3. Background
Widespread accepted governmental and
nongovernmental financed activity
 Increase of social and health problems
 Costly

4. Risk
Three groups of persons with high risk
 Positive reinforcement
 Biological aspects
 Motive

5. Aim
 To provide an overview of health
professionals’ and social workers experiences
of treating persons with gambling problems,
gambling dependency and gambling
addiction.
 To describe the theoretical basis they used
including definitions of gambling problems
and the evidence supporting current
treatment activities.

6. Method
 Focus groups interviews
Social workers – 3, Mental health workers – 4
Nurses – 4, Physicians - 2
 Open ended questions:
- ”In your opinion, when do you define a
patient having a gambling problem and/or
being addicted to gambling”?
- ”How does a gambling problem/addiction
occur and why”?
 Content analysis of the transcribed verbatim
interviews

7. Results
Categories Tema
1. Conception of gambling
problems, dependency and
addiction
2. Experiences of gambling
Lacking determination to
encounter with gamblers – a none
given mission
3. Treatment and care
4. Need for education and training

8. Conception of gambling problems,
dependency and addiction;
 Defining gambling
 Risk groups, risk factors
 Reasons to play
 Protective factors
 Consequences
 Attitudes

9. Experiences of gambling
 Own gambling experiences
 Friends,
 Patients

10. Treatment and care
 Identification
 Short comings

11. Need for education and training
 Limitation of knowledge
 Need for consequent screening
 Need of guidelines

12. Conclusion
 Health- and social services deliver: resources,
strategies including guidelines,
recommendations etc.
 In-service training to increase knowledge and
clinical skills