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. 2013 Feb 1;91(2):130–135. doi: 10.2471/BLT.12.108951

Table 1. Comparison of topics covered by the National Methadone Maintenance Treatment Training Centre for the training of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) providers and their trainers, before and since 2008.

Topic Before 2008 Since 2008
For MMT providers
An overview of MMT Yes Yes
Diagnosis of heroin dependence Yes Yes
Treatment of heroin dependence Yes Yes
Behavioural and psychological characteristics of people dependent on heroin Yes Yes
Overdose prevention Yes Yes
Policy support for and administration of MMT programme Yes Yes
Pathology of opioid dependence Yes Yes
Pharmacology of methadone Yes Yes
Key points for MMT education and skills needed Yes Yes
Prevention of HIV infection Yes Yes
Counselling skills No Yes
Motivational interviewing skills No Yes
Management of poly-drug abuse No Yes
Management of common mental health problems No Yes
Reproductive health needs among female patients No Yes
Methadone dosage, compliance and retention No Yes
Meaning of a positive urine test in an MMT patient No Yes
Prevention of hepatitis C virus infection No Yes
For trainers of MMT providers
Role and responsibility of substance abuse counsellor No Yes
Drug dependence counselling procedure No Yes
Substance abuse assessment and counselling No Yes
Motivational interviewing No Yes
High-risk situation management No Yes
Goal-setting No Yes
Refusal skills No Yes
Coping with craving for drug No Yes
Lapse and relapse prevention and therapy No Yes
Management of overdose and poisoning No Yes
Time, stress and anger management No Yes
Conflict resolution No Yes
Strengthening familial support No Yes
Prevention of HIV and hepatitis C virus infection No Yes
Working with young people and with women No Yes
Harm reduction No Yes
Supervision and support No Yes
Burnout prevention No Yes

HIV, human immunodeficiency virus.