Gambling: Accessibility of Gamblers and their Families to Health Care Institutions

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In the 90’s, the offer of gambling games gradually expanded in Argentina, leading to the appearance of a little-known problem: compulsive gambling. OBJECTIVE: To describe the accessibility of gamblers and their families to health care system, inquiring about the experiences of barriers and facilitators. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative approach was used for this study in Avellaneda and Lanús (Province of Buenos Aires), selecting the links established by gamblers and their families with health care institutions. The sample was based on conceptual definitions. The study performed 26 in-depth interviews to compulsive gamblers, family members, health professionals from public/private sector and peer group coordinators. RESULTS: Models of care, professional type and peer group coexist with distinct ideological and operational attributes, although they are used together in the practices of the subjects. Their paths reflected the “real” health care system, as well as facilitating opportunities and obstacles to the access. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing to previous years, compulsive gambling is now more recognized as a health problem. However, the surveyed actors did not identify the appropriate treatment paths and health strategies. Addressing this issue from the concept of disease does not allow to understand the suffering occurring throughout the close personal network and prevents from reaching a comprehensive care approach.