Objective: To assess participant perception of an integrated model of care for substance abuse in pregnancy.
Design: Focus groups were employed for this qualitative study.
Setting: Two Family Medicine Units, 1 in Toronto and 1 in Montreal, where integrated care for licit and illicit substance abuse in pregnancy is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and social workers.
Participants: Women who had received addiction and prenatal care at 1 of the 2 sites.
Methods: Women were asked to discuss their experiences of care in focus groups.
Results: Five central themes emerged: judgment, physician-patient communication, team communication, support groups, and self-responsibility.
Conclusion: Women felt more comfortable with provider teams that shared a consistent nonjudgmental attitude.