Abstract
Aim of research: assessment of needs in improvement of clinical competences on the topic of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) among specialists of narcological branch. Methods: cross-sectional study is conducted by means of questionnaire survey of 84 specialists from 3 narcological institutions. Results: Persons, who have problems with usage of NPS were represented in common structure of patients, who are suffering from substance addictions with frequency of 9,3%. Considering the regular curation of this patients’ group the low level of clinical competences of the third part of respondents is noted on the topic of NPS. Also, incompetent level of knowledge is detected regarding main classes of NPS. Half of respondents (54,8%) are aware of group of synthetic cannabinoids only. Lacked opportunities of education, rare usage of specialized literature, reported by respondents are combined with high demand on new education programs, which include usage of modern information and communication technology: distance education, system of electronic notifcation and information by means of newsletters and letters for private e-mail. Conclusions: topicality of improvement of competences on topic of NPS is marked, main content of educational programs is determined; forms of continuous information regarding clinical management of cases of NPS abuse are defined.