Correctional institutions may provide insufficient medical services and have limited resources. Substance use disorders represent a considerable problem among the incarcerated population within the American health care system (Fazel et al., 2017). Therefore, it may be critical to develop an adequate framework in order to address the issue and improve outcomes among incarcerated individuals. The purpose of this paper is to develop a teaching plan that could encourage individuals with substance use disorders to change their behaviors. Behavioral changes may contribute to the reduction of substance use within the incarcerated population. Teaching plans may provide direction and guidance for most vulnerable populations such as incarcerated individuals. It may not only change behaviors but also utilize relevant techniques in health promotion. It may be essential to introduce a comprehensive patient-oriented approach in order to achieve that goal. Therefore, the trantheoretical model served as a methodological basis for program development. This methodology views the patient as a learner that should be provided with sufficient knowledge needed to achieve behavioral changes. Hence, it is also important to conduct preliminary assessments in order to identify the level of substance use disorder awareness within the population. The approach relies significantly on three essential stages, including the contemplation stage, preparation, action stage, and maintenance stage. The success of such educational programs is closely linked with the participation of the targeted audience. Group activities and cooperation were found to play a considerable role in achieving the primary goals. It was also determined that preliminary evaluations of patients are the key to developing an adequate teaching plan. The results of this project confirm that health promotion teaching plans may improve outcomes among incarcerated individuals. However, further research may be needed to develop a universal approach to reducing substance use within the prison population.
Reference
Fazel, S., Yoon, I. A., & Hayes, A. J. (2017). Substance use disorders in prisoners: An updated systematic review and meta-regression analysis in recently incarcerated men and women. Addiction, 112(10), 1725–1739.