The origin, development, and current status of the health profession of an addictologist in the Czech Republic in the broader context of the development of the addictology field
Abstract
A shortage of appropriately qualified and trained practitioners to staff the emerging addiction services in the 1990s initiated a process which eventually led to the establishment of the health profession of an addictologist in the Czech Republic. In the course of time, this new profession developed into a distinctive and well-acclaimed field of expertise which went beyond its original scope and gave rise to a unique concept of a study programme against the background of an emancipating transdisciplinary field of study.
It is intended to address the full scope of relevant topics, ranging from prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation to the process of natural recovery. All aspects of harm reduction strategies and methods are also given significant attention.
The Aim was to describe the details of the origin, development, and current status of the study programme in addictology in the context of the addictive behaviour-related developments in the Czech Republic. Another objective is to point out the changing profile of similarly-oriented study programmes and the emerging wave of interest in them internationally, including the development of the first international model curricula for this type of study at universities.
The sample comprises retrieved documents and evaluation studies pertaining to the field of addictology in the Czech Republic and related studies on this discipline abroad which address the constitution of international curricula. While the development of the original concept of the discipline was influenced by the requirements of the service providers of the time, it became apparent before long that the dynamics of the development of the field had gone beyond its original scope and given rise to a brand-new concept of a study programme referred to as the "Prague Model of Addiction Studies".
Subsequent comparisons showed that other countries, too, followed a similar path and that many of these programmes were similar. The Czech model is unique in its consistent structure, systematic building, and subsequent legislative grounding.
In addition, a firm link between the field of study and practice, especially service providers, and a solid institutional framework for the new field have been established. Finally, in parallel with the domestic efforts, activities aimed at establishing and maintaining networks of international universities offering relevant academic programmes and developing the first international curricula have been pursued.
The Czech Republic has pioneered a new model of addiction studies, and its concept of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral study programmes has become a blueprint for the development of similar programmes and the integration of the new profession within the system of addiction services in other countries.