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McLean K, Murphy J, Kruis N. "I think we're getting better but we're still not there": Provider-based stigma and perceived barriers to care for people who use opioids (PWUO). JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 159:209270. [PMID: 38103831 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite significant efforts to improve access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), uptake remains low relative to the scope of the problem in the United States. A growing body of quantitative and qualitative research has documented consistent barriers to MOUD treatment access and retention, at the level of individuals, institutions, and society at large. Stigma - surrounding both people who use opioids (PWUO) and treatment using MOUD - is among the most-cited barriers by patients and providers alike, yet few studies have examined provider-based stigma specifically, or considered its interaction with other impediments to OUD care. METHODS This paper employs a qualitative approach to the analysis of provider-based stigma among professionals involved in the treatment or supervision of individuals with OUD. We conducted and analyzed interviews with 19 professionals as part of a larger mixed methods study on stigma among substance use treatment providers and court personnel in Pennsylvania. Beyond capturing providers' perceptions of PWUO and MOUD, the authors asked participants to describe barriers to recovery, and the effective delivery of care within this population. RESULTS Interviewees enumerated multiple entrenched barriers that sometimes operated at different levels, such as criminal-legal involvement, which weakened PWUO's social networks and employment prospects, while undermining providers' attempts at continuity of care; moreover, participants cited the "War on Drugs" as an overarching impediment to effective substance use treatment, not least for its role in perpetuating stigma against PWUO. CONCLUSIONS Interestingly, while an overwhelming majority of participants named stigma as a barrier to treatment at every level, most also articulated stigmatizing beliefs around PWUO. Namely, providers evoked one element of stigma - blameworthiness - in their contention that many PWUO are inadequately motivated to recover. In addition to adding further complexity to MOUD barriers research, this study troubles the notion that professional training and education on the disease model of addiction serve to eradicate stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine McLean
- Penn State Greater Allegheny, 4000 University Dr., McKeesport, PA 15131, United States of America.
| | - Jennifer Murphy
- Penn State Berks, 1801 Broadcasting Rd, Reading, PA 19610, United States of America.
| | - Nathan Kruis
- Penn State Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601, United States of America.
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Steiro A, Hestevik CH, Muller AE. Patient's and healthcare provider's experiences with Opioid Maintenance Treatment (OMT): a qualitative evidence synthesis. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:333. [PMID: 38481254 PMCID: PMC10938774 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10778-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid Maintenance Treatment (OMT) is the gold standard for people with opioid dependence. However, drop-out rates are high, and many patients do not reach desired outcomes. Understanding patients' and healthcare providers' experiences with the treatment can provide valuable information to improve the quality of OMT and to increase acceptability and accessibility of services. The aim of this systematic review is to explore and synthesise the experiences of OMT among persons with opioid dependence and health care providers, to inform policy makers and practitioners on how to improve OMT outcomes. METHODS We conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis. We systematically searched in electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, and nordic databases) and searched for grey literature. As we identified many studies that met our inclusion criteria, we purposively sampled a manageable number of studies to include in this review. Two researchers independently extracted and coded data from the included studies and used the Andersen's healthcare utilization model to organize and develop codes. We assessed the methodological limitations of the studies, and our confidence in the findings using GRADE CERQual. RESULTS We retrieved 56 relevant studies and purposively sampled 24 qualitative studies of patients' and healthcare providers' experiences with OMT. Our analyses resulted in six main themes: (1) External stigma prevents engagement and retention in treatment, (2) Being identified as in OMT contributed to an increased experience of stigma (3) Inadequate knowledge and expertise among healthcare providers affected patients' treatment experiences, (4) Quality of communication between personnel and patients impacts patients' engagement with treatment and treatment outcomes, (5) Patients wanted help with many aspects of their lives not just medication, and (6) Balancing positive expectations of OMT with treatment stigma. We found that stigma was an overarching theme across these themes. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that OMT could be more beneficial for patients if treatment programs prioritize efforts to diminish societal and OMT provider stigma and find strategies to better address patient needs. Initiatives should focus on improving treatment knowledge among providers, encouraging the use of client perspectives, considering the context of family members, and establishing a more holistic and flexible treatment environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asbjørn Steiro
- Department of Health Services Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Pb 222, 0213, Skoyen, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Christine Hillestad Hestevik
- Department of Health Services Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Pb 222, 0213, Skoyen, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ashley Elizabeth Muller
- Department of Health Services Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Pb 222, 0213, Skoyen, Oslo, Norway
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Chi W, Okeke C, Thornton D, Chen H, Sadeghi A, Varisco TJ. Leveraging prescription monitoring program data to evaluate the implementation of buprenorphine telehealth flexibilities: An interrupted time series analysis in Texas. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2024; 10:100222. [PMID: 38463634 PMCID: PMC10920117 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2024.100222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Background In March 2020, policy changes by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration aimed to maintain access to office-based opioid treatment services by easing telehealth buprenorphine prescribing restrictions. However, the effectiveness of these changes remains largely unmeasured. The objective of this study was to measure the effectiveness of COVID-19-related telehealth flexibilities in an all-payer cohort from the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program. Methods Using Texas Prescription Monitoring Program data, we identified oral buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone prescriptions dispensed in Texas between September 1, 2019, and September 26, 2020. Weekly counts of prescriptions, prescribing physicians, and dispensing pharmacies were analyzed. An autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model estimated changes in prescription volume between pre-implementation (September 1, 2019 - February 15, 2020) and post-implementation (April 12, 2020 - September 26, 2020) periods. Results Pre-flexibility, an average of 8898 (SD: 342) buprenorphine prescriptions were dispensed to 7829 (SD: 326) patients weekly. This declined to 8360 (SD: 247) prescriptions and 7661 (SD: 229) patients post-flexibility. Adjusted for seasonality, this represented a statistically significant average decline of -257.27 (95% CI: -426.06, -88.49) patients and -647.01 (95% CI: -856.67, -437.36) prescriptions per week. Discussion Our results suggest a modest decline in buprenorphine dispensing volume early in the COVID-19 pandemic. While difficult to assess its significance, it can be assumed that telehealth flexibilities mitigated a potentially larger decline. Future research should explore system and individual-level barriers to telehealth utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whanhui Chi
- The Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4349 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4349 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Chijioke Okeke
- The Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4349 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4349 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Douglas Thornton
- The Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4349 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4349 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4349 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Center for Population Health Outcomes and Pharmacoepidemiology Education and Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4349 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Abofazl Sadeghi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4349 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Tyler J Varisco
- The Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4349 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4349 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
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Rudy L, Lacroix E. Substance use disorders in hospice palliative care: A narrative review of challenges and a case for physician intervention. Palliat Support Care 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38420710 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523001402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Substance use disorders (SUDs) are frequently encountered in hospice palliative care (HPC) and pose substantial quality-of-life issues for patients. However, most HPC physicians do not directly treat their patients' SUDs due to several institutional and personal barriers. This review will expand upon arguments for the integration of SUD treatment into HPC, will elucidate challenges for HPC providers, and will provide recommendations that address these challenges. METHODS A thorough review of the literature was conducted. Arguments for the treatment of SUDs and recommendations for physicians have been synthesized and expanded upon. RESULTS Treating SUD in HPC has the potential to improve adherence to care, access to social support, and outcomes for pain, mental health, and physical health. Barriers to SUD treatment in HPC include difficulties with accurate assessment, insufficient training, attitudes and stigma, and compromised pain management regimens. Recommendations for physicians and training environments to address these challenges include developing familiarity with standardized SUD assessment tools and pain management practice guidelines, creating and disseminating visual campaigns to combat stigma, including SUD assessment and intervention as fellowship competencies, and obtaining additional training in psychosocial interventions. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS By following these recommendations, HPC physicians can improve their competence and confidence in working with individuals with SUDs, which will help meet the pressing needs of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Rudy
- Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | - Emilie Lacroix
- Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
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Badke K, Small SS, Pratt M, Lockington J, Gurney L, Kestler A, Moe J. Healthcare provider perspectives on emergency department-initiated buprenorphine/naloxone: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:211. [PMID: 38360620 PMCID: PMC10870432 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10271-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Take-home buprenorphine/naloxone is an effective method of initiating opioid agonist therapy in the Emergency Department (ED) that requires ED healthcare worker buy-in for large-scale implementation. We aimed to investigate healthcare workers perceptions of ED take-home buprenorphine/naloxone, as well as barriers and facilitators from an ED healthcare worker perspective. METHODS In the context of a take-home buprenorphine/naloxone feasibility study at a tertiary care teaching hospital we conducted a descriptive qualitative study. We conducted one-on-one in person or telephone interviews and focus groups with ED healthcare workers who cared for patients given take-home buprenorphine/naloxone in the feasibility study at Vancouver General Hospital from July 2019 to March 2020. We conducted 37 healthcare worker interviews from December 2019 to July 2020. We audio recorded interviews and focus groups and transcribed them verbatim. We completed interviews until we reached thematic saturation. DATA ANALYSIS We inductively coded a sample of transcripts to generate a provisional coding structure and to identify emerging themes, which were reviewed by our multidisciplinary team. We then used the final coding structure to analyze the transcripts. We present our findings descriptively. RESULTS Participants identified a number of context-specific facilitators and barriers to take-home buprenorphine/naloxone provision in the ED. Participants highlighted ED conditions having either facilitative or prohibitive effects: provision of buprenorphine/naloxone was feasible when ED volume was low and space was available but became less so as ED volume increased and space decreased. Similarly, participants noted that patient-related factors could have a facilitative or prohibitive effect, such as willingness to wait (willing to stay in the ED for study-related activities and buprenorphine/naloxone initiation activities), receptiveness to buprenorphine/naloxone, and comprehension of the instructions. As for staff-related factors, time was identified as a consistent barrier. Time included time available and time required to initiate buprenorphine/naloxone (including time building rapport). Healthcare worker familiarity with buprenorphine/naloxone was noted as either a facilitating factor or a barrier, and healthcare workers indicated that ongoing training would have been advantageous. Many healthcare workers identified that the ED is an important first point of contact for the target patient population. CONCLUSION Integrating a buprenorphine/naloxone program into ED care requires organizational supports (e.g., for managing buprenorphine/naloxone within limitations of ED volume, space, and time), and ongoing education of healthcare workers to minimize identified barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherin Badke
- Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Pharmacy Department, Vancouver General Hospital, 899 W 12th avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada.
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Serena S Small
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Megan Pratt
- Social Work Department, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Julie Lockington
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lara Gurney
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Andrew Kestler
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jessica Moe
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Richardson C, Daniels K, Confer A, Saxon AJ, Gordon AJ, Liberto J, Albanese AP, Renner J, Edens E, Kennedy AJ. Internal Medicine Resident Addiction Training at the Veteran's Health Administration: A Qualitative Evaluation of Site Directors' Response to the 2022 ACGME Requirements. J Gen Intern Med 2024:10.1007/s11606-024-08639-4. [PMID: 38302815 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-024-08639-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use disorders (SUDs) are prevalent in the USA yet remain dramatically undertreated. To address this care gap, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved revisions to the Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education (GME) in Internal Medicine, effective July 1, 2022, requiring addiction medicine training for all internal medicine (IM) residents. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is a clinical training site for many academic institutions that sponsor IM residencies. This focus group project evaluated VHA IM residency site directors' perspectives about providing addiction medical education within VHA IM training sites. OBJECTIVE To better understand the current state, barriers to, and facilitators of IM resident addiction medicine training at VHA sites. DESIGN This was a qualitative evaluation based on semi-structured video-based focus groups. PARTICIPANTS Participants were VHA IM site directors based at a VHA hospital or clinic throughout the USA. APPROACH Focus groups were conducted using a semi-structured group interview guide. Two investigators coded each focus group independently, then met to create a final adjudicated coding scheme. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. KEY RESULTS Forty-three participants from 38 VHA sites participated in four focus groups (average size: 11 participants). Six themes were identified within four pre-defined categories. Current state of training: most VHA sites offered no formal training in addiction medicine for IM residents. Barriers: addiction experts are often located outside of IM settings, and ACGME requirements were non-specific. Facilitators: clinical champions help support addiction training. Desired next steps: participants desired incentives to train or hire local champions and a pre-packaged didactic curriculum. CONCLUSIONS Developing competent clinical champions and leveraging VHA addiction specialists from non-IM settings would create more addiction training opportunities for IM trainees at VHA sites. These insights can likely be applied to IM training at non-VHA sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Richardson
- VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karin Daniels
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Andrea Confer
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Andrew J Saxon
- VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- Vulnerable Veteran Innovative Patient-Aligned-Care-Team (VIP) Initiative, Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center, Salt Lake City Health Care System, Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Joseph Liberto
- Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Substance Use Disorders, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Anthony P Albanese
- VA Northern California Healthcare System, UC Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - John Renner
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ellen Edens
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Amy J Kennedy
- VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Jammoul M, Jammoul D, Wang KK, Kobeissy F, Depalma RG. Traumatic Brain Injury and Opioids: Twin Plagues of the Twenty-First Century. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:6-14. [PMID: 37217015 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and opioid use disorder (OUD) comprise twin plagues causing considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. As interactions between TBI and OUD are to our knowledge uncharted, we review the possible mechanisms by which TBI may stimulate the development of OUD and discuss the interaction or crosstalk between these two processes. Central nervous system damage due to TBI appears to drive adverse effects of subsequent OUD and opioid use/misuse affecting several molecular pathways. Pain, a neurological consequence of TBI, is a risk factor that increases the likelihood of opioid use/misuse after TBI. Other comorbidities including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and sleep disturbances are also associated with deleterious outcomes. We examine the hypothesis that a TBI "first hit" induces a neuroinflammatory process involving microglial priming, which, on a second hit related to opioid exposure, exacerbates neuroinflammation, modifies synaptic plasticity, and spreads tau aggregates to promote neurodegeneration. As TBI also impairs myelin repair by oligodendrocytes, it may reduce or degrade white matter integrity in the reward circuit resulting in behavioral changes. Along with approaches focused on specific patient symptoms, understanding the CNS effects following TBI offers a promise of improved management for individuals with OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Jammoul
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dareen Jammoul
- Anesthesiology Department, Lebanese American University Medical Center-Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Kevin K Wang
- Center for Neurotrauma, MultiOmics & Biomarkers, Department of Neurobiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Center for Neurotrauma, MultiOmics & Biomarkers, Department of Neurobiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Ralph G Depalma
- Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC; Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
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Zalmai R, Hill LG, Loera LJ, Mosgrove Q, Brown C. Independent community pharmacists' attitudes and intentions toward dispensing buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid use disorder. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2023; 63:1558-1565.e4. [PMID: 37331654 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2023.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP/NX) for opioid use disorder (OUD) is associated with positive health outcomes; however, challenges accessing prescribed BUP/NX at community pharmacies have been identified. OBJECTIVE The theory of planned behavior was applied to determine whether independent community pharmacists' attitudes toward dispensing BUP/NX for OUD predict intentions to dispense. METHODS A 40-item survey was administered to 185 Texas Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network pharmacists. The survey assessed intentions to dispense BUP/NX (3 items), attitudes toward BUP/NX (24 items), current barriers to dispensing BUP/NX (2 items), and demographics (10 items). Inferential statistics determined associations among pharmacists' attitudes, practice setting characteristics, and intentions to dispense BUP/NX. Regression analysis determined whether attitude predicted intention to dispense BUP/NX, controlling for practice setting and demographic characteristics. RESULTS Responses were obtained from 82 community independent pharmacists (response rate = 44%). Respondents were predominantly non-Hispanic white (45.8%) and women (56.6%) and practiced in pharmacies with an average 1129.1 (± 1034.5) dispensed prescriptions/week. Pharmacists had positive intentions (6.2 ± 3.5) and attitudes (14.4 ± 24.9) toward dispensing BUP/NX and attitudes did not predict intentions to dispense (P = 0.330). Positive drivers of attitude were related to improving patient outcomes, fulfilling a community need, and absence of conflicts with pharmacists' personal and religious beliefs. A negative driver of attitude was financial reimbursement/loss. Pharmacists dispensing 2000 or more prescriptions/week had higher intentions (b = 3.22, P = 0.014) to dispense than those dispensing less than 500 prescriptions/week. The most common barrier to dispense BUP/NX was "refill was too soon" (54.8%). CONCLUSION Community independent pharmacists had positive attitudes toward and intentions of dispensing BUP/NX for OUD. However, attitudes did not predict intentions to dispense. Negative drivers of attitudes were related to factors not within pharmacists' control, such as time to refill or financial reimbursement.Future studies focused on community pharmacy-based access to BUP/NX are warranted to elucidate issues that are impactful in improving pharmacists' dispensing intentions and behavior.
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Heerema MR, Ventura AS, Blakemore SC, Montoya ID, Gobel DE, Kiang MV, LaBelle CT, Bazzi AR. Evaluation of the New England Office Based Addiction Treatment ECHO: A Tool for Strengthening the Addiction Workforce. Subst Abus 2023; 44:164-176. [PMID: 37287240 PMCID: PMC10688578 DOI: 10.1177/08897077231179601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Reducing substance-related morbidity requires an educated and well-supported workforce. The New England Office Based Addiction Treatment Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (NE OBAT ECHO) began in 2019 to support community-based addiction care teams through virtual mentoring and case-based learning. We sought to characterize the program's impact on the knowledge and attitudes of NE OBAT ECHO participants. METHODS We conducted an 18-month prospective evaluation of the NE OBAT ECHO. Participants registered for 1 of 2 successive ECHO clinics. Each 5-month clinic included ten 1.5-hour sessions involving brief didactic lectures and de-identified patient case presentations. Participants completed surveys at Month-0, -6, -12, and -18 to assess attitudes about working with patients who use drugs and evidence based practices (EBPs), stigma toward people who use drugs, and addiction treatment knowledge. We compared outcomes using 2 approaches: (i) between-groups, which involved comparing the first intervention group to the delayed intervention (comparison) group, and (ii) within-groups, which involved comparing outcomes at different time points for all participants. In the within-group approach, each participant acted as their own control. RESULTS Seventy-six health professionals participated in the NE OBAT ECHO, representing various roles in addiction care teams. Approximately half (47% [36/76]) practiced primary care, internal, or family medicine. The first intervention group reported improved job satisfaction and openness toward EBPs compared to the delayed intervention group. Within-group analyses revealed that ECHO participation was associated with increased positive perceptions of role adequacy, support, legitimacy, and satisfaction 6 months following program completion. No changes were identified in willingness to adopt EBPs or treatment knowledge. Stigma toward people who use drugs was persistent in both groups across time points. CONCLUSIONS NE OBAT ECHO may have improved participants' confidence and satisfaction providing addiction care. ECHO is likely an effective educational tool for expanding the capacity of the addiction workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Heerema
- General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Alicia S. Ventura
- General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Samantha C. Blakemore
- General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Ivan D. Montoya
- General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Division of Health Services Research and Policy, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Danna E. Gobel
- General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Mathew V. Kiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Colleen T. LaBelle
- General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Angela R. Bazzi
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
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Gordon AJ, Saxon AJ, Kertesz S, Wyse JJ, Manhapra A, Lin LA, Chen W, Hansen J, Pinnell D, Huynh T, Baylis JD, Cunningham FE, Ghitza UE, Bart G, Yu H, Sauer BC. Buprenorphine use and courses of care for opioid use disorder treatment within the Veterans Health Administration. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 248:109902. [PMID: 37196572 PMCID: PMC10875624 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retention of patients in buprenorphine medication treatment for opioid use disorder (B-MOUD) reduces harms associated with opioid use disorder (OUD). We sought to characterize the patients receiving B-MOUD and courses of B-MOUD in a large healthcare system. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, open cohort study of patients with OUD who either did or did not receive B-MOUD courses within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) from January 2006 through July 2019, using VHA clinical data. We compared patients receiving or not receiving B-MOUD, characterized B-MOUD courses (e.g., length and doses), and examined persistence, across patient characteristics, over time. We used analyses for normally or non-normally distributed continuous variables, categorical data, and persistence over time (Kaplan-Meier persistence curves). RESULTS We identified 255,726 Veterans with OUD; 40,431 (15.8%) had received 63,929 B-MOUD courses. Compared to patients with OUD without B-MOUD, patients with B-MOUD were younger, more often of white race, and had more co-morbidities. The frequency of new B-MOUD starts and prevalent B-MOUD patients ranged from 1550 and 1989 in 2007 to 8146 and 16,505 in 2018, respectively. The median duration of B-MOUD was 157 (IQR: 37-537) days for all courses and 33.8% patients had more than one course. The average proportion days covered was 90% (SD: 0.15), and the average prescribed daily dose was 13.44 (SD: 6.5). CONCLUSIONS Within a VHA B-MOUD cohort, courses increased more than 10-fold from 2006 to 2016 with nearly half of patients experiencing multiple courses. Patient demographics seem to dictate the length of courses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Gordon
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Andrew J Saxon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA; Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education (CESATE), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stefan Kertesz
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Medicine, Heersink UAB School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jessica J Wyse
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health CareSystem, Portland, OR, USA; School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University,PortlandOR, USA
| | - Ajay Manhapra
- Section of Pain Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services, Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton, VA, USA
| | - Lewei A Lin
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR), VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jared Hansen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Derek Pinnell
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tina Huynh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jacob D Baylis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Udi E Ghitza
- Center for the Clinical Trials Network (CCTN), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gavin Bart
- Hennepin Healthcare, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Hong Yu
- Center for Biomedical and Health Research in Data Sciences and Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA; Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Brian C Sauer
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Miller WA, Gordon AJ, Clothier BA, Ackland PE, Bounthavong M, Garcia C, Kenny ME, Noorbaloochi S, Hagedorn HJ. Co-occurring implementation strategies: The effects of academic detailing for opioid use disorder campaign on the advancing pharmacological treatments for opioid use disorder (ADaPT-OUD) study. IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2023; 4:26334895231199463. [PMID: 37790176 PMCID: PMC10504828 DOI: 10.1177/26334895231199463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Barriers at the system, clinician, and patient level limit access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The Advancing Pharmacological Treatments for Opioid Use Disorder (ADaPT-OUD) study implemented an external facilitation strategy within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) aimed at facility-level barriers to improve uptake of MOUD. During ADaPT-OUD, an independent Academic Detailing Services Opioid Agonist Treatment of OUD Campaign was co-occurring and aimed to increase evidence-based practice for OUD at the clinician level. While both these initiatives aim to increase MOUD reach, they address different barriers and did not intentionally collaborate. Thus, understanding the interaction between these two independent implementation initiatives and their effect on MOUD reach will further inform and mold future implementation efforts of MOUD. Methods This was a secondary analysis of the ADaPT-OUD study that included 35 VHA facilities in the lowest quartile of MOUD reach; eight received the ADaPT-OUD external facilitation and 27 matched sites received implementation as usual. The number of academic detailing (AD) visits during ADaPT-OUD was used as a proxy for the intensity of Academic Detailing for OUD Campaign activity. The interaction between external facilitation status and AD intensity was evaluated by comparing the change in facility-level MOUD reach. Results There was a general increase in the number of AD visits, in both external facilitation and implementation as usual sites, over the course of ADaPT-OUD's implementation period. A non-statistically significant, positively sloped, linear relationship was observed between average number of AD visits per quarter and change in MOUD reach in facilities also receiving ADaPT-OUD external facilitation that was not observed in the implementation as usual sites. Conclusion Co-occurring initiatives focusing on different barriers to MOUD access have the potential to further increase MOUD in low-performing facilities, but further research into timing, quality, and collaboration between initiatives are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy A. Miller
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Adam J. Gordon
- Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT Initiative, Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA), University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Barbara A. Clothier
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Princess E. Ackland
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mark Bounthavong
- Health Economics Resource Center, Palo Alto Veterans Affairs HealthCare System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Carla Garcia
- Health Economics Resource Center, Palo Alto Veterans Affairs HealthCare System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Marie E. Kenny
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Siamak Noorbaloochi
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Hildi J. Hagedorn
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Centers of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, Puget Sound VAHCS, Seattle, WA & Philadelphia VAHCS, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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12
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Hagedorn HJ, Gustavson AM, Ackland PE, Bangerter A, Bounthavong M, Clothier B, Harris AHS, Kenny ME, Noorbaloochi S, Salameh HA, Gordon AJ. Advancing Pharmacological Treatments for Opioid Use Disorder (ADaPT-OUD): an Implementation Trial in Eight Veterans Health Administration Facilities. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:3594-3602. [PMID: 34981352 PMCID: PMC8722660 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07274-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying effective strategies to improve access to medication treatments for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is imperative. Within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), provision of MOUD varies significantly, requiring development and testing of implementation strategies that target facilities with low provision of MOUD. OBJECTIVE Determine the effectiveness of external facilitation in increasing the provision of MOUD among VHA facilities with low baseline provision of MOUD compared to matched controls. DESIGN Pre-post, block randomized study designed to compare facility-level outcomes in a stratified sample of eligible facilities. Four blocks (two intervention facilities in each) were defined by median splits of both the ratio of patients with OUD receiving MOUD and number of patients with OUD not currently receiving MOUD (i.e., number of actionable patients). Intervention facilities participated in a 12-month implementation intervention. PARTICIPANTS VHA facilities in the lowest quartile of MOUD provision (35 facilities), eight of which were randomly assigned to participate in the intervention (two per block) with twenty-seven serving as matched controls by block. INTERVENTION External facilitation included assessment of local barriers/facilitators, formation of a local implementation team, a site visit for action planning and training/education, cross-facility quarterly calls, monthly coaching calls, and consultation. MAIN MEASURES Pre- to post-change in the facility-level ratio of patients with an OUD diagnosis receiving MOUD compared to control facilities. KEY RESULTS Intervention facilities significantly increased the ratio of patients with OUD receiving MOUD from an average of 18% at baseline to 30% 1 year later, with an absolute difference of 12% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.6%, 17.0%). The difference in differences between intervention and control facilities was 3.0% (95% CI: - 0.2%. 6.7%). The impact of the intervention varied by block, with smaller, less complex facilities more likely to outperform matched controls. CONCLUSIONS Intensive external facilitation improved the adoption of MOUD in most low-performing facilities and may enhance adoption beyond other interventions less tailored to individual facility contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hildi J. Hagedorn
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mil Code #152, Minneapolis, MN 55417 USA
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Allison M. Gustavson
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mil Code #152, Minneapolis, MN 55417 USA
| | - Princess E. Ackland
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mil Code #152, Minneapolis, MN 55417 USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Ann Bangerter
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mil Code #152, Minneapolis, MN 55417 USA
| | - Mark Bounthavong
- Health Economics Resource Center, Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94025 USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093 USA
| | - Barbara Clothier
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mil Code #152, Minneapolis, MN 55417 USA
| | - Alex H. S. Harris
- Center for Innovation To Implementation, Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94025 USA
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - Marie E. Kenny
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mil Code #152, Minneapolis, MN 55417 USA
| | - Siamak Noorbaloochi
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mil Code #152, Minneapolis, MN 55417 USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Hope A. Salameh
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mil Code #152, Minneapolis, MN 55417 USA
| | - Adam J. Gordon
- Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative; Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS, Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84148 USA
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84148 USA
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13
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Sachidanandan G, Bechard LE, Hodgson K, Sud A. Education as drug policy: A realist synthesis of continuing professional development for opioid agonist therapy. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 108:103807. [PMID: 35930903 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Continuing professional development (CPD) for opioid agonist therapy (OAT) has been identified as a key health policy strategy to improve care for people living with opioid use disorder (OUD) and to address rising opioid-related harms. To design and deliver effective CPD programs, there is a need to clarify how they work within complex health system and policy contexts. This review synthesizes the literature on OAT CPD programs and educational theory to clarify which interventions work, for whom, and in what contexts. METHODS A systematic review and realist synthesis of evaluations of CPD programs focused on OAT was conducted. This included record identification and screening, theory familiarization, data collection, analysis, expert consultation, and iterative context-intervention-mechanism-outcome (CIMO) configuration development. RESULTS Twenty-four reports comprising 21 evaluation studies from 5 countries for 3373 providers were reviewed. Through iterative testing of included studies with relevant theory, five CIMO configurations were developed. The programs were categorized by who drove the learning outcomes (i.e., system/policy, instructor, learner) and their spheres of influence (i.e., micro, meso, macro). There was a predominance of instructor-driven programs driving change at the micro level, with few policy-driven macro-influential programs, inconsistent with the promotion of CPD as a clear opioid crisis policy-level intervention. CONCLUSION OAT CPD is challenged by mismatches in program justifications, objectives, activities, and outcomes. Depending on how these program factors interact, OAT CPD can operate as a barrier or facilitator to OUD care. With more deliberate planning and consideration of program theory, programs more directly addressing diverse learner and system needs may be developed and delivered. OAT CPD as drug policy does not operate in isolation; programs may feed into each other and intercalate with other policy initiatives to have micro, meso, and macro impacts on educational and population health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grahanya Sachidanandan
- Department of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 3L8, Canada; Bridgepoint Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Lauren E Bechard
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Kate Hodgson
- Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, 6th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1V7, Canada
| | - Abhimanyu Sud
- Bridgepoint Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X5, Canada; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1V7, Canada; Humber River Hospital, 1235 Wilson Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3M 0B2, Canada.
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14
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Janet Ho J, Jones KF, Sager Z, Neale K, Childers JW, Loggers E, Merlin JS. Barriers to Buprenorphine Prescribing for Opioid Use Disorder in Hospice and Palliative Care. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 64:119-127. [PMID: 35561938 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Hospice and palliative care (HPC) clinicians increasingly care for patients with concurrent painful serious illness and opioid use disorder (OUD) or opioid misuse; however, only a minority of HPC clinicians have an X-waiver license or actively use it to prescribe buprenorphine as medication treatment for OUD. OBJECTIVES To understand barriers for HPC clinicians to obtaining an X-waiver and prescribing buprenorphine as medication treatment for OUD. METHODS We performed content analysis on 100 survey responses from members of the national Buprenorphine Peer Support Network, a group of HPC clinicians interested in buprenorphine, on X-waiver status, barriers to obtaining an X-waiver, and barriers to active prescribing. RESULTS Of 100 HPC clinicians surveyed, only 26 of 57 HPC clinicians with X-waivers had ever prescribed. Prominent barriers included discomfort managing concurrent pain, buprenorphine, and OUD; concerns about impacts on practice; unsupportive practice culture; insufficient practice support; patient facing challenges; and cumbersome regulatory policies. CONCLUSION Despite HPC clinicians' interest in buprenorphine prescribing for OUD, several steps are needed to facilitate the practice, including clinician education tailored to pain and to clinical challenges faced by HPC clinicians, mentorship on buprenorphine use, and cultural and practice changes to dismantle systemic stigma towards addiction. We propose evidence-based steps derived from our survey findings that individual clinicians, HPC leaders, and national HPC organizations can take to improve care for patients with painful serious illness and OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiunling Janet Ho
- Division of Palliative Medicine (J.J.H.), University of California, San Francisco and Addiction Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA.
| | - Katie Fitzgerald Jones
- Boston College Connell School of Nursing (K.F.J.), VA Boston Healthcare System; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zachary Sager
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (Z.S.), VA Boston Healthcare System, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kyle Neale
- Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care (K.N.), The Lois U. and Harry R. Horvitz Palliative Medicine Program, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic; Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Julie W Childers
- Division of General Internal Medicine (J.W.C., J.S.M.), Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics; Section of Treatment, Research, and Education in Addiction Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elizabeth Loggers
- Clinical Research Division (E.L.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Division of Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jessica S Merlin
- Division of General Internal Medicine (J.W.C., J.S.M.), Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics; Section of Treatment, Research, and Education in Addiction Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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15
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Wyse JJ, Mackey K, Lovejoy TI, Kansagara D, Tuepker A, Gordon AJ, Todd Korthuis P, Herreid-O'Neill A, Williams B, Morasco BJ. Expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder through locally-initiated implementation. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:32. [PMID: 35725648 PMCID: PMC9207874 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00312-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite demonstrated efficacy, medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) remain inaccessible to many patients, with barriers identified at the individual, clinic and system level. A wide array of implementation strategies have guided efforts to expand access to MOUD, with most centered around externally-facilitated approaches to practice change. While effective, such approaches may be inaccessible to those clinics and systems that lack the resources necessary to partner with an external team, suggesting a need to identify and describe change-processes that are internally developed and promoted. Methods Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we utilized qualitative interviews and ethnographic observation to investigate the planning, design and implementation of a locally-initiated process to expand access to MOUD within one health care system. All study documents were coded by a primary coder and secondary reviewer using a codebook designed for use with the CFIR. To analyze data, we reviewed text tagged by key codes, compared these textual excerpts both across and within documents, and organized findings into themes. Processes identified were mapped to established implementation science constructs and strategies. Results Interviews with clinicians and administrators (n = 9) and ethnographic observation of planning meetings (n = 3) revealed how a self-appointed local team developed, established broad support for, and successfully implemented a Primary Care-based Buprenorphine Clinic and E-Consult Service to expand access to MOUD to patients across the health care system. First, national and local policy changes—including altered clinical practice guidelines, performance pay incentives regarding opioid prescribing, and a directive from VA Central Office increased individual staff and administrators’ perception of the need for change and willingness to invest time and resources. Then, a self-appointed interdisciplinary team utilized cross-clinic meetings and information gathering to identify appropriate, and widely supported, models of care delivery and care consultation. Finally, the team increased staff investment in these change efforts by bringing them into the planning process and encouraging collaborative problem solving. Conclusions This study reveals how a local team developed and built widespread support for new processes of care that were tailored to local needs and well-positioned for sustainability over time. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13722-022-00312-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Wyse
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA. .,School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, 1810 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
| | - Katherine Mackey
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Department of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Travis I Lovejoy
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, 1810 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Devan Kansagara
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Department of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Anais Tuepker
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Department of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, USA.,Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - P Todd Korthuis
- Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Anders Herreid-O'Neill
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Beth Williams
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Benjamin J Morasco
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
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Champions Among Us: Leading Primary Care to the Forefront of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:1771-1773. [PMID: 35018566 PMCID: PMC8751461 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07355-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite more than a decade of investment in opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment infrastructure, the year 2020 saw the highest mortality related to opioid overdose in American history. Treatment access remains critically limited, with less than half of people living with OUD receiving any treatment. Primary care has been referred to as the "sleeping giant" of addiction care, as few primary care doctors currently prescribe medications to treat OUD. The "clinical champions" framework is a tool that has shown promise in creating the type of mentorship and culture change necessary to expand uptake of medication-based OUD treatment among primary care providers. The early success of this model and the increased availability of tools for broad implementation warrant further investment as a means of leading primary care into a larger role in combatting the opioid addiction epidemic.
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17
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Nguyen T, Muench U, Andraka-Christou B, Simon K, Bradford WD, Spetz J. The Association Between Scope of Practice Regulations and Nurse Practitioner Prescribing of Buprenorphine After the 2016 Opioid Bill. Med Care Res Rev 2022; 79:290-298. [PMID: 33792414 PMCID: PMC8594929 DOI: 10.1177/10775587211004311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
This article examines the relationship between federal regulations, state scope-of-practice regulations on nurse practitioners (NPs), and buprenorphine prescribing patterns using pharmacy claims data from Optum's deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart between January 2015 and September 2018. The county-level proportion of patients filling prescriptions written by NPs was low even after the 2016 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), 2.7% in states that did not require physician oversight of NPs, and 1.1% in states that did. While analyses in rural counties showed higher rates of buprenorphine prescriptions written by NPs, rates were still considerably low: 3.7% in states with less restrictive regulations and 1.1% in other states. These results indicate that less restrictive scope-of-practice regulations are associated with greater NP prescribing following CARA. The small magnitude of the changes indicates that federal attempts to expand treatment access through CARA have been limited.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kosali Simon
- Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Joanne Spetz
- University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Roles and Perceptions of Nurses During Implementation of a Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder National Initiative. J Addict Nurs 2022; 33:70-79. [PMID: 35640210 DOI: 10.1097/jan.0000000000000455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, a national priority exists to improve access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Nurses can be an essential component of that care. We examined the perceptions and evolving roles of nurses in a national Veterans Health Administration (VHA) initiative designed to improve MOUD access within general medical settings. METHODS From April 15, 2021, to June 16, 2021, we recruited nurses participating in VHA's Stepped Care for Opioid Use Disorder Train the Trainer Initiative-a national program intending to implement MOUD in general medical settings-to participate in an interview about their roles, perceptions, and experiences. The respondents answered our inquiries through an interview or responded to an email solicitation with written responses, which were then recorded, transcribed, and independently coded to identify themes. RESULTS Nurses from 10 VHA facilities participated in an interview (n = 7) or completed the questionnaire (n = 4). Inadequate staffing, high patient-to-provider ratios, and time constraints were identified as barriers to MOUD care. Mentorship activities, existing VHA informational resources, and patients' willingness to accept treatment were identified as facilitators of MOUD care. The Stepped Care for Opioid Use Disorder Train the Trainer Initiative processes were acknowledged to promote role confidence, which in turn increased job satisfaction and empowered nurses to become content experts. Respondents often identified nurses as local lead facilitators in MOUD care. CONCLUSIONS In a national initiative to implement MOUD within general medical settings, nurses identified several barriers and facilitators to MOUD implementation. Nurses play vital collaborative care roles in enhancing access to MOUD.
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Andraka-Christou B, Gordon AJ, Bouskill K, Smart R, Randall-Kosich O, Golan M, Totaram R, Stein BD. Toward a Typology of Office-based Buprenorphine Treatment Laws: Themes From a Review of State Laws. J Addict Med 2022; 16:192-207. [PMID: 34014209 PMCID: PMC8599526 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Buprenorphine is a gold standard treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Some US states have passed laws regulating office-based buprenorphine treatment (OBBT) for OUD, with requirements beyond those required in federal law. We sought to identify themes in state OBBT laws. METHODS Using search terms related to medications for OUD, we searched Westlaw software for state regulations and statutes in 51 US jurisdictions from 2005 to 2019. We identified and inductively analyzed OBBT laws for themes. RESULTS Since 2005, 10 states have passed a total of 181 OBBT laws. We identified the following themes: (1) provider credentials: state licensure for OBBT providers and continuing medical education requirements; (2) new patients: objective symptoms patients must have before receiving OBBT and exceptions for special populations; (3) educating patients: general informed consent requirements, and specific information to provide; (4) counseling: minimum counselor credentials, minimum counseling frequency, counseling alternatives; (5) patient monitoring: required prescription drug monitoring checks, frequency of drug screening, and responses to lost/stolen medications; (6) enhanced clinician monitoring: evidence-based treatment protocols, minimum clinician-patient contact frequency, health assessment requirements, and individualized treatment planning; and (7) patient safety: reconciling prescriptions, dosage limitations, naloxone coprescribing, tapering, and office closures. CONCLUSIONS Some laws codify practices for which scientific consensus is lacking. Additionally, some OBBT laws resemble opioid treatment programs and pain management regulations. Results could serve as the basis for a typology of office-based treatment laws, which could facilitate empirical examination of policy impacts on treatment access and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Andraka-Christou
- Department of Health Management & Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
- Department of Internal Medicine (Secondary Joint Appointment), University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
| | - Adam J. Gordon
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City UT
| | | | | | | | | | - Rachel Totaram
- Department of Health Management & Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
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20
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Perez-Rivera ND, Chang G. E-consultation for medications to treat opioid use disorders: a pilot study. J Addict Dis 2022; 40:428-431. [PMID: 35157563 DOI: 10.1080/10550887.2021.2020044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES An electronic consultation to provide expert guidance on medications to treat opioid use disorders [MOUD] was piloted. METHODS Medical record review of the first 100 unique patients receiving consultation with 6-month follow-up. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests of significance were calculated as appropriate. RESULTS Most consultation requests originated from inpatient psychiatry (66%). Patients (67%) and consultants (33%) preferred buprenorphine/naloxone most often (p < 0.0001). Half of the patients received MOUD prior to discharge. Three quarters of the half who kept their first outpatient appointments received the recommended treatment (p < 0.0001). At 6 months, four patients died and four others overdosed only. Type of MOUD was not associated with either overdose or death, but those who overdosed used cannabis, sedative-hypnotics, or stimulants (all, p < 0 .05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Guidance for MOUD offered via e-consultation may have increased outpatient treatment engagement following inpatient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha D Perez-Rivera
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Grace Chang
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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21
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Gordon AJ, Kenny M, Dungan M, Gustavson AM, Taylor Kelley A, Jones AL, Hawkins E, Frank JW, Danner A, Liberto J, Hagedorn H. Are x-waiver trainings enough? Facilitators and barriers to buprenorphine prescribing after x-waiver trainings. Am J Addict 2022; 31:152-158. [PMID: 35118756 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, an x-waiver credential is necessary to prescribe buprenorphine medication treatment for opioid use disorder (B-MOUD). Historically, this process has required certified training, which could be a barrier to obtaining an x-waiver and subsequently prescribing. To address this barrier, the US recently removed the training requirement for some clinicians. We sought to determine if clinicians who attended x-waiver training went on to obtain an x-waiver and prescribe B-MOUD, and to examine what facilitated or impeded B-MOUD prescribing. METHODS In September 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional, electronic survey of attendees of 15 in-person x-waiver pieces of training from June 2018 to January 2020 within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Of the attendees (n = 321), we surveyed current VHA clinicians who recalled taking the training. The survey assessed whether clinicians obtained the x-waiver, had prescribed B-MOUD, and barriers or facilitators that influenced B-MOUD prescribing. RESULTS Of 251 eligible participants, 62 (24.7%) responded to the survey, including 27 (43.5%) physicians, 16 (25.8%) advanced practice clinicians, and 12 (19.4%) pharmacists. Of the 43 clinicians who could prescribe, 29 (67.4%) had obtained their x-waiver and 16 (37.2%) had reported prescribing B-MOUD. Prominent barriers to prescribing B-MOUD included a lack of supporting clinical staff and competing demands on time. The primary facilitator to prescribing was leadership support. CONCLUSIONS Nine months after x-waiver training, two-thirds of clinicians with prescribing credentials had obtained their x-waiver and one-third were prescribing B-MOUD. Removing the x-waiver training may not have the intended policy effect as other barriers to B-MOUD prescribing persist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Gordon
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Marie Kenny
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Matthew Dungan
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Allison M Gustavson
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - A Taylor Kelley
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Audrey L Jones
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Eric Hawkins
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joseph W Frank
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Anissa Danner
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joseph Liberto
- Veterans Health Administration's Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Substance Use Disorders, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Hildi Hagedorn
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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22
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Forray A, Mele A, Byatt N, Londono Tobon A, Gilstad-Hayden K, Hunkle K, Hong S, Lipkind H, Fiellin DA, Callaghan K, Yonkers KA. Support Models for Addiction Related Treatment (SMART) for pregnant women: Study protocol of a cluster randomized trial of two treatment models for opioid use disorder in prenatal clinics. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261751. [PMID: 35025898 PMCID: PMC8758001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnancy increased nearly five-fold over the past decade. Despite this, obstetric providers are less likely to treat pregnant women with medication for OUD than non-obstetric providers (75% vs 91%). A major reason is many obstetricians feel unprepared to prescribe medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Education and support may increase prescribing and overall comfort in delivering care for pregnant women with OUD, but optimal models of education and support are yet to be determined. Methods and analysis We describe the rationale and conduct of a matched-pair cluster randomized clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of two models of support for reproductive health clinicians to provide care for pregnant and postpartum women with OUD. The primary outcomes of this trial are patient treatment engagement and retention in OUD treatment. This study compares two support models: 1) a collaborative care approach, based upon the Massachusetts Office-Based-Opioid Treatment Model, that provides practice-level training and support to providers and patients through the use of care managers, versus 2) a telesupport approach based on the Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes, a remote education model that provides mentorship, guided practice, and participation in a learning community, via video conferencing. Discussion This clustered randomized clinical trial aims to test the effectiveness of two approaches to support practitioners who care for pregnant women with an OUD. The results of this trial will help determine the best model to improve the capacity of obstetrical providers to deliver treatment for OUD in prenatal clinics. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov trial registration number: NCT0424039.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Forray
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Amanda Mele
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Nancy Byatt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Ob/Gyn, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Amalia Londono Tobon
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Kathryn Gilstad-Hayden
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Karen Hunkle
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Suyeon Hong
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Heather Lipkind
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - David A. Fiellin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Katherine Callaghan
- Department of Ob/Gyn, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kimberly A. Yonkers
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
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23
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Taylor EN, Timko C, Binswanger IA, Harris AHS, Stimmel M, Smelson D, Finlay AK. A national survey of barriers and facilitators to medications for opioid use disorder among legal-involved veterans in the Veterans Health Administration. Subst Abus 2022; 43:556-563. [PMID: 34586978 PMCID: PMC9423124 DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.1975867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background: Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are clinically effective at treating OUD among legal-involved populations. However, research shows that legal-involved veterans who receive care through the VHA have lower rates of MOUD use compared to non-legal-involved veterans. Education may be a key factor in intervention strategies to improve MOUD access. This study was a national survey of VHA staff to identify barriers to and facilitators of MOUD, as well as MOUD-related education needs for VHA staff, community partners, criminal justice partners, and legal-involved veterans. Method: A 98-item online survey was conducted to examine VHA staff perspectives (N = 218) around needed education, barriers to, and facilitators of MOUD for legal-involved veterans. Descriptive statistics were conducted and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate differences in perceptions by respondents' current position at the VHA and their VHA facility's rate of provision of MOUD among legal-involved veterans. Results: Respondents endorsed a need for education in all areas of MOUD (e.g., existing medications for the treatment of OUD) for VHA staff and providers, community partners, criminal justice partners, and legal-involved veterans. VHA staff perceived barriers to MOUD for legal-involved veterans to include stigma and complicated guidelines around MOUD and OUD treatment. Facilities with low rates of MOUD use highlighted barriers including MOUD conflicting with the philosophy of the local VHA facility and provider stigma toward patients with OUD. Perceptions of efficacy of MOUD differed by respondents' current position at the VHA such that substance use disorder treatment providers perceived buprenorphine and methadone as more effective compared to Veterans Justice Specialists. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest a need for an educational intervention emphasizing the evidence supporting use of MOUD as a lack of knowledge about these medications was considered a barrier to access, whereas gaining education about MOUD was a facilitator to access. Education strategies specifically tailored to address VHA facility-level differences may help address barriers to MOUD experienced by legal-involved veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmeline N. Taylor
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Center for Innovation to Implementation, Palo Alto, CA, USA,Department of Psychology, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - Christine Timko
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Center for Innovation to Implementation, Palo Alto, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Ingrid A. Binswanger
- Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Institute for Health Research, Denver, CO, USA,Colorado Permanente Medical Group, Denver, CO, USA,Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Alex H. S. Harris
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Center for Innovation to Implementation, Palo Alto, CA, USA,Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Stimmel
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Justice Programs, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - David Smelson
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Edith Nourse Rodgers VA Medical Center, Center for Organization and Implementation Science, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Andrea K. Finlay
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Center for Innovation to Implementation, Palo Alto, CA, USA,U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, Menlo Park, CA, USA
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24
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Rowe CL, Ahern J, Hubbard A, Coffin PO. Evaluating buprenorphine prescribing and opioid-related health outcomes following the expansion the buprenorphine waiver program. J Subst Abuse Treat 2022; 132:108452. [PMID: 34098203 PMCID: PMC10023135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To evaluate associations between new types of buprenorphine waivers (nurse practitioner and physician assistant [NP/PA]; 275-patient limit [MD/DO-275]) and both buprenorphine prescribing and health outcomes. METHODS Using comprehensive county-level data from California 2010-2018, we modeled quarterly associations between numbers of NP/PA and MD/DO-275 waivers and rates of buprenorphine prescribing, opioid-related deaths, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations among all counties and separately among metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties using Poisson regression models with county and quarter fixed effects and adjusting for time-varying covariates. RESULTS Each additional NP/PA and MD/DO-275 waiver was associated with a 2.6% (95%CI: 1.1-4.1%) and 5.8% (4.1-7.4%) increase in buprenorphine prescribing among nonmetropolitan counties, respectively. Each additional MD/DO-275 waiver was associated with a 2.8% (1.0%-4.6%) increase in buprenorphine among metropolitan counties. There were no statistically significant associations between NP/PA waivers and buprenorphine prescribing among metropolitan counties or among either waiver type and opioid-related health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS NP/PA waivers were associated with increased buprenorphine prescribing among nonmetropolitan counties and MD/DO-275 waivers were associated with increased buprenorphine prescribing among both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Rowe
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, Floor 5, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA; Center on Substance Use and Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 25 Van Ness, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA.
| | - Jennifer Ahern
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, Floor 5, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
| | - Alan Hubbard
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, Floor 5, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
| | - Phillip O Coffin
- Center on Substance Use and Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 25 Van Ness, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA; Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 533 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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25
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Bapat S, Washburn M, Tata V, Fleming M, Abughosh SM, Essien EJ, Thornton D. Barriers and Facilitators to DATA Waivered Providers Prescribing Buprenorphine: A Qualitative Analysis Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 57:1761-1771. [PMID: 35993387 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2112226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Provider beliefs about the treatment of people with addiction may influence their prescribing behavior. Objective: This study applied the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), to identify the salient beliefs of Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) waivered providers, concerning prescribing buprenorphine to patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Methods: Texas buprenorphine providers participated in one of four online focus group discussions conducted in fall 2019. The focus group discussion were audio recorded and the total length was between 60-90 minutes. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify emerging themes and to categorize the behavioral, normative, and control beliefs related to buprenorphine prescribing. Results: Of the 14 total participants, 57% of the participants were male and annually treated between zero to sixty patients with buprenorphine. The codes generated were represented in thematic maps, specifying the positive or negative aspects of buprenorphine prescribing. Results indicate that providers' primary motivation to prescribe buprenorphine was, implementation of a whole-patient approach through collaboration with behavioral health providers, in the provision of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Providers primary normative belief was the recognition of key members of the medical community and patients' families and friends as influential groups. Providers' control beliefs focused on their ability to use buprenorphine in different practice settings. Conclusion: These results indicate that buprenorphine access may be expanded by increasing support for DATA waivered providers from other parts of the healthcare system such as behavioral health providers and pharmacists. Implications for clinical practice and future research will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Bapat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Micki Washburn
- Arlington School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Vaishnavi Tata
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Marc Fleming
- Department of Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Susan M Abughosh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - E James Essien
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Douglas Thornton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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26
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Bottner R, Bratberg J, Martin M, Weimer MB, Jordan A, Tierney M. Don't "Waive" Goodbye to Education for Opioid Use Disorder. NAM Perspect 2021; 2021:202110b. [PMID: 34901777 DOI: 10.31478/202110b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marlene Martin
- University of California, San Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital
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27
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Vakkalanka JP, Lund BC, Arndt S, Field W, Charlton M, Ward MM, Carnahan RM. Therapeutic relationships between Veterans and buprenorphine providers and effects on treatment retention. Health Serv Res 2021; 57:392-402. [PMID: 34854083 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.13919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the extent to which there was any therapeutic relationship between Veterans and their initial buprenorphine provider and whether the presence of this relationship influenced treatment retention. DATA SOURCES National, secondary administrative data used from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), 2008-2017. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. The primary exposure was a therapeutic relationship between the Veteran and buprenorphine provider, defined as the presence of a previous visit or medication prescribed by the provider in the 2 years preceding buprenorphine treatment initiation. The primary outcome was treatment discontinuation, evaluated as 14 days of absence of medication from initiation through 1 year. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS Adult Veterans (age ≥ 18 years) diagnosed with opioid use disorder and treated with buprenorphine or buprenorphine/naloxone within the VHA system were included in this study. We excluded those receiving buprenorphine patches, those with documentation of a metastatic tumor diagnosis within 2 years prior to buprenorphine initiation, and those without geographical information on rurality. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A total of 28,791 Veterans were included in the study. Within the overall study sample, 56.3% (n = 16,206) of Veterans previously had at least one outpatient encounter with their initial buprenorphine provider, and 24.9% (n = 7174) of Veterans previously had at least one prescription from that provider in the 2 years preceding buprenorphine initiation. There was no significant or clinically meaningful association between therapeutic relationship history and treatment retention when defined as visit history (aHR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.02) or medication history (aHR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.07). CONCLUSIONS Veterans initiating buprenorphine frequently did not have a therapeutic history with their initial buprenorphine provider, but this relationship was not associated with treatment retention. Future work should investigate how the quality of Veteran-provider therapeutic relationships influences opioid use dependence management and whether eliminating training requirements for providers might affect access to buprenorphine, and subsequently, treatment initiation and retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayamalathi Priyanka Vakkalanka
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Brian C Lund
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.,Center for Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Stephan Arndt
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - William Field
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Mary Charlton
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Marcia M Ward
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Ryan M Carnahan
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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28
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Filteau MR, Green B, Jones K. Barriers to Community Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders among Rural Veterans. JOURNAL OF VETERANS STUDIES 2021. [DOI: 10.21061/jvs.v7i3.262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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Gordon AJ, Drexler K, Hawkins EJ, Burden J, Codell NK, Mhatre-Owens A, Dungan MT, Hagedorn H. Stepped Care for Opioid Use Disorder Train the Trainer (SCOUTT) initiative: Expanding access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder within Veterans Health Administration facilities. Subst Abus 2021; 41:275-282. [PMID: 32697170 DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2020.1787299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The US is confronted with a rise in opioid use disorder (OUD), opioid misuse, and opioid-associated harms. Medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD)-including methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone-is the gold standard treatment for OUD. MOUD reduces illicit opioid use, mortality, criminal activity, healthcare costs, and high-risk behaviors. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has invested in several national initiatives to encourage access to MOUD treatment. Despite these efforts, by 2017, just over a third of all Veterans diagnosed with OUD received MOUD. VHA OUD specialty care is often concentrated in major hospitals throughout the nation and access to this care can be difficult due to geography or patient choice. Recognizing the urgent need to improve access to MOUD care, in the Spring of 2018, the VHA initiated the Stepped Care for Opioid Use Disorder, Train the Trainer (SCOUTT) Initiative to facilitate access to MOUD in VHA non-SUD care settings. The SCOUTT Initiative's primary goal is to increase MOUD prescribing in VHA primary care, mental health, and pain clinics by training providers working in those settings on how to provide MOUD and to facilitate implementation by providing an ongoing learning collaborative. Thirteen healthcare providers from each of the 18 VHA regional networks across the VHA were invited to implement the SCOUTT Initiative within one facility in each network. We describe the goals and initial activities of the SCOUTT Initiative leading up to a two-day national SCOUTT Initiative conference attended by 246 participants from all 18 regional networks in the VHA. We also discuss subsequent implementation facilitation and evaluation plans for the SCOUTT Initiative. The VHA SCOUTT Initiative could be a model strategy to implement MOUD within large, diverse health care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Gordon
- Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA), Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Karen Drexler
- Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Eric J Hawkins
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Seattle, Washington, USA.,VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jennifer Burden
- Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nodira K Codell
- Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Amy Mhatre-Owens
- Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Matthew T Dungan
- Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Hildi Hagedorn
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Hawkins EJ, Danner AN, Malte CA, Blanchard BE, Williams EC, Hagedorn HJ, Gordon AJ, Drexler K, Burden JL, Knoeppel J, Lott A, Sayre GG, Midboe AM, Saxon AJ. Clinical leaders and providers' perspectives on delivering medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder in Veteran Affairs' facilities. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2021; 16:55. [PMID: 34488892 PMCID: PMC8419813 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-021-00263-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improving access to medication treatment of opioid use disorder (MOUD) is a national priority, yet common modifiable barriers (e.g., limited provider knowledge, negative beliefs about MOUD) often challenge implementation of MOUD delivery. To address these barriers, the VA launched a multifaceted implementation intervention focused on planning and educational strategies to increase MOUD delivery in 18 medical facilities. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a multifaceted intervention approach to increase MOUD delivery changed providers' perceptions about MOUD over the first year of implementation. METHODS Cross-disciplinary teams of clinic providers and leadership from primary care, pain, and mental health clinics at 18 VA medical facilities received invitations to complete an anonymous, electronic survey prior to intervention launch (baseline) and at 12- month follow-up. Responses were summarized using descriptive statistics, and changes over time were compared using regression models adjusted for gender and prescriber status, and clustered on facility. Responses to open-ended questions were thematically analyzed using a template analysis approach. RESULTS Survey response rates at baseline and follow-up were 57.1% (56/98) and 50.4% (61/121), respectively. At both time points, most respondents agreed that MOUD delivery is important (94.7 vs. 86.9%), lifesaving (92.8 vs. 88.5%) and evidence-based (85.2 vs. 89.5%). Over one-third (37.5%) viewed MOUD delivery as time-consuming, and only 53.7% affirmed that clinic providers wanted to prescribe MOUD at baseline; similar responses were seen at follow-up (34.5 and 52.4%, respectively). Respondents rated their knowledge about OUD, comfort discussing opioid use with patients, job satisfaction, ability to help patients with OUD, and support from colleagues favorably at both time points. Respondents' ratings of MOUD delivery filling a gap in care were high but declined significantly from baseline to follow-up (85.7 vs. 73.7%, p < 0.04). Open-ended responses identified implementation barriers including lack of support to diagnose and treat OUD and lack of time. CONCLUSIONS Although perceptions about MOUD generally were positive, targeted education and planning strategies did not improve providers' and clinical leaders' perceptions of MOUD over time. Strategies that improve leaders' prioritization and support of MOUD and address time constraints related to delivering MOUD may increase access to MOUD in non-substance use treatment clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Hawkins
- Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division (S116ATC), 1660 S. Columbian Way, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Anissa N Danner
- Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division (S116ATC), 1660 S. Columbian Way, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA
| | - Carol A Malte
- Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division (S116ATC), 1660 S. Columbian Way, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA
| | - Brittany E Blanchard
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Emily C Williams
- Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hildi J Hagedorn
- HSR&D Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- HSR&D Center of Innovation: Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Karen Drexler
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jennifer L Burden
- VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jennifer Knoeppel
- VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Aline Lott
- Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division (S116ATC), 1660 S. Columbian Way, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA
| | - George G Sayre
- Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Amanda M Midboe
- Center for Innovation To Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Andrew J Saxon
- Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division (S116ATC), 1660 S. Columbian Way, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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Couturier J, Kimber M, Barwick M, Woodford T, Mcvey G, Findlay S, Webb C, Niccols A, Lock J. Family-based treatment for children and adolescents with eating disorders: a mixed-methods evaluation of a blended evidence-based implementation approach. Transl Behav Med 2021; 11:64-73. [PMID: 31747024 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibz160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated a blended implementation approach with teams learning to provide family-based treatment (FBT) to adolescents with eating disorders. Four sites participated in a sequential mixed method pre-post study to evaluate the implementation of FBT in their clinical settings. The implementation approach included: (a) preparatory site visits; (b) the establishment of implementation teams; (c) a training workshop; (d) monthly clinical consultation; (e) monthly implementation consultation; and (f) fidelity assessment. Quantitative measures examining attitudes toward evidence-based practice, organizational learning environment and organizational readiness for change, as well as, individual readiness for change were delivered pre- and postimplementation. Correlational analyses were used to examine associations between baseline variables and therapist fidelity to FBT. Fundamental qualitative description guided the sampling and data collection for the qualitative interviews performed at the conclusion of the study. Seventeen individuals participated in this study (nine therapists, four medical practitioners, and four administrators). The predetermined threshold of implementation success of 80% fidelity in every FBT session was achieved by only one therapist. However, mean fidelity scores were similar to those reported in other studies. Participant attitudes, readiness, and self-efficacy were not associated with fidelity and did not change significantly from pre- to postimplementation. In qualitative interviews, all participants reported that the implementation intervention was helpful in adopting FBT. Our blended implementation approach was well received by participants. A larger trial is needed to determine which implementation factors predict FBT fidelity and impact patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Melanie Barwick
- University of Toronto, ON, Canada.,Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Fluctuations in barriers to medication treatment for opioid use disorder prescribing over the course of a one-year external facilitation intervention. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2021; 16:51. [PMID: 34362445 PMCID: PMC8343892 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-021-00259-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is invested in expanding access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to save lives. Access varies across VHA facilities and, thus, requires implementation strategies to promote system-wide adoption of MOUD. We conducted a 12-month study employing external facilitation that targeted MOUD treatment among low-adopting VHA facilities. In this study, we sought to evaluate the patterns of perceived barriers over 1 year of external implementation facilitation using the integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework. Methods We randomly selected eight VHA facilities from the bottom quartile of the proportion of Veterans with an OUD diagnosis receiving MOUD (< 21%). The 1-year external implementation intervention included developmental evaluation to tailor the facilitation, an on-site visit, and monthly facilitation calls. Facilitators recorded detailed notes for each call on a structured template. Qualitative data was analyzed by coding and mapping barriers to the constructs in the i-PARIHS framework (Innovation, Recipients, Context). We identified emerging themes within each construct by month. Results Barriers related to the Innovation, such as provider perception of the need for MOUD in their setting, were minimal throughout the 12-month study. Barriers related to Recipients were predominant and fluctuated over time. Recipient barriers were common during the initial months when providers did not have the training and waivers necessary to prescribe MOUD. Once additional providers (Recipients) were trained and waivered to prescribe MOUD, Recipient barriers dropped and then resurfaced as the facilities worked to expand MOUD prescribing to other clinics. Context barriers, such as restrictions on which clinics could prescribe MOUD and fragmented communication across clinics regarding the management of patients receiving MOUD, emerged more prominently in the middle of the study. Conclusions VHA facilities participating in 12-month external facilitation interventions experienced fluctuations in barriers to MOUD prescribing with contextual barriers emerging after a facilitated reduction in recipient- level barriers. Adoption of MOUD prescribing in low-adopting VHA facilities requires continual reassessment, monitoring, and readjustment of implementation strategies over time to meet challenges. Although i-PARIHS was useful in categorizing most barriers, the lack of conceptual clarity was a concern for some constructs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13722-021-00259-1.
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Disparities in Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in the Veterans Health Administration. J Addict Med 2021; 15:143-149. [PMID: 32826617 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A variety of patients - including women, older, racial/ethnic minority, rural, homeless, and justice-involved patients - are vulnerable to experiencing poor healthcare access and quality, such as lower quality substance use disorder treatment, than other populations. The current study examined receipt of medications for opioid use disorder by vulnerable populations within Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities to determine whether there are patient and facility factors that are associated with disparities in care. METHODS Using national VHA clinical/administrative data from Fiscal Year 2017, we calculated receipt of medications for opioid use disorder using the American Society for Addiction Medicine quality measure specifications. A mixed-effects logistic regression model tested whether patient vulnerability (ie, women, older age, racial/ethnic minority, rural residence, homeless, and justice-involved) and facility (eg, regional location, availability of a methadone clinic) characteristics were associated with medication receipt. RESULTS Among the 53,568 veterans at VHA facilities diagnosed with opioid use disorder in Fiscal Year 2017, vulnerable populations - including women, older, Black, rural, homeless, and justice-involved veterans - had lower odds of receiving medications for opioid use disorder than their nonvulnerable counterparts. Veterans had higher odds of receiving medications at facilities with a higher proportion of patients with opioid use disorder, but lower odds of receiving medications at facilities in the Southern region compared to the Northeast region of the United States. CONCLUSIONS Quality improvement efforts targeted at vulnerable populations are needed at the VHA to ensure these groups receive the same quality of substance use disorder treatment as other veterans.
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Varisco TJ, Abughosh S, Chen H, Cho SK, Fleming ML, Ziedonis D, Thornton D. Switching pharmacies leads to gaps in medication possession in individuals treated with buprenorphine. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2021; 61:589-595. [PMID: 34016547 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2021.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Not all pharmacies stock and dispense buprenorphine, potentially complicating continuous access to care for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). This may become problematic if a patient's primary pharmacy can no longer provide buprenorphine, and the patient cannot locate a new pharmacy. OBJECTIVES To identify how often patients treated with buprenorphine for OUD switch pharmacies and to estimate the association between switching pharmacies and a clinically significant gap in therapy of 7 days or longer. METHODS A retrospective repeated measures longitudinal cohort design was used. Patients initiating treatment with a buprenorphine product indicated for OUD were identified from the 2016-2018 Texas Prescription Monitoring Program. The predictor of interest-switching pharmacies-was defined by comparing the dispensaries used between subsequent prescriptions. The outcome of interest was defined as a gap in medication possession of 7 days or longer on the basis of the National Quality Forum's definition of continuity of pharmacotherapy for OUD. A generalized estimating equation approach was used to estimate a repeated measures logistic regression measuring the association between switching pharmacies and a gap in therapy. RESULTS Of 13,375 eligible patients, 29.6% switched pharmacies at least once during treatment, and 51.6% of these did so more than once. The median time to initial switch was 30 days (interquartile range: 13-66 days). When patients switched pharmacies, they were significantly more likely to have a gap in therapy of between 7 and 29 days (adjusted odds ratio 1.67 [95% CI 1.57-1.78]). CONCLUSION Patients receiving buprenorphine switch pharmacies early and frequently in treatment, which leads to clinically significant gaps in therapy. Although qualitative explanatory work is needed to understand why patients switch pharmacies so often, pharmacists and prescribers must ensure that patients have reliable access to a convenient source of buprenorphine to prevent gaps in therapy.
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Frost T, Deutsch S, Brown S, Lemien E, Cunningham CO, Fox AD. "We'll be able to take care of ourselves" - A qualitative study of client attitudes toward implementing buprenorphine treatment at syringe services programs. Subst Abus 2021; 42:983-989. [PMID: 33759722 PMCID: PMC10112278 DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.1901173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syringe services programs (SSPs) complement substance use disorder treatment in providing services that improve the health of people who use drugs (PWUD). Buprenorphine treatment is an effective underutilized opioid use disorder treatment. Regulations allow buprenorphine prescribing from office-based settings, potentially including SSPs although few studies have examined this approach. Our objective was to assess the attitudes among PWUD toward the potential introduction of buprenorphine treatment in an SSP. Methods: In this qualitative study, we recruited 34 participants who were enrolled at a New York City-based SSP to participate in one of seven focus group sessions. The focus group facilitators prompted participants to share their thoughts in five domains: attitudes toward (1) medical clinics; (2) harm reduction in general; (3) SSP-based buprenorphine treatment; (4) potential challenges of SSP-based treatment; and (5) logistical considerations of an SSP-based buprenorphine treatment program. Four researchers analyzed focus group transcripts using thematic analysis. Results: Of the 34 participants, most were white (68%), over the age of 40 years old (56%), and had previously tried buprenorphine (89%). Common themes were: 1) The SSP is a supportive community for people who use drugs; 2) Participants felt less stigmatized at the SSP than in general medical settings; 3) Offering buprenorphine treatment could change the SSP's culture; and 4) SSP participants receiving buprenorphine may be tempted to divert their medication. Participants offered suggestions for a slow intentional introduction of buprenorphine treatment at the SSP including structured appointments, training medical providers in harm reduction, and program eligibility criteria. Conclusion: Overall, participants expressed enthusiasm for onsite buprenorphine treatment at SSPs. Research on SSP-based buprenorphine treatment should investigate standard buprenorphine treatment outcomes but also any effects on the program itself and medication diversion. Implementation should consider cultural and environmental aspects of the SSP and consult program staff and participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taeko Frost
- Washington Heights CORNER Project, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sarah Deutsch
- Washington Heights CORNER Project, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shoshana Brown
- Washington Heights CORNER Project, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ellen Lemien
- Washington Heights CORNER Project, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chinazo O Cunningham
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Aaron D Fox
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
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Shea CM. A conceptual model to guide research on the activities and effects of innovation champions. IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2021; 2. [PMID: 34541541 PMCID: PMC8445003 DOI: 10.1177/2633489521990443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The importance of having a champion to promote implementation efforts has been discussed in the literature for more than five decades. However, the empirical literature on champions remains underdeveloped. As a result, health organizations commonly use champions in their implementation efforts without the benefit of evidence to guide decisions about how to identify, prepare, and evaluate their champions. The goal of this article is to present a model of champion impact that draws upon previous literature and is intended to inform future research on champions and serve as a guide for practitioners serving in a champion role. Methods The proposed model is informed by existing literature, both conceptual and empirical. Prior studies and reviews of the literature have faced challenges in terms of operationalizing and reporting on champion characteristics, activities, and impacts. The proposed model addresses this challenge by delineating these constructs, which allows for consolidation of factors previously discussed about champions as well as new hypothesized relationships between constructs. Results The model proposes that a combination of champion commitment and champion experience and self-efficacy influence champion performance, which influences peer engagement with the champion, which ultimately influences the champion's impact. Two additional constructs have indirect effects on champion impact. Champion beliefs about the innovation and organizational support for the champion affect champion commitment. Conclusion The proposed model is intended to support prospective studies of champions by hypothesizing relationships between constructs identified in the champion literature, specifically relationships between modifiable factors that influence a champion's potential impact. Over time, the model should be modified, as appropriate, based on new findings from champion-related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Shea
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Gustavson AM, Wisdom JP, Kenny ME, Salameh HA, Ackland PE, Clothier B, Noorbaloochi S, Gordon AJ, Hagedorn HJ. Early impacts of a multi-faceted implementation strategy to increase use of medication treatments for opioid use disorder in the Veterans Health Administration. Implement Sci Commun 2021; 2:20. [PMID: 33588952 PMCID: PMC7885503 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-021-00119-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the risk of negative sequelae from opioid use disorder (OUD) and clinical guidelines for the use of effective medication treatment for OUD (M-OUD), many Veterans Health Administration (VHA) providers and facilities lag in providing M-OUD. An intensive external facilitation intervention may enhance uptake in low-adopting VHA facilities by engaging stakeholders from multiple clinical settings within a facility (e.g., mental health, primary care, pain specialty clinic, substance use disorder clinics). Our study identified pre-intervention determinants of implementation through qualitative interviews, described strategies employed during the first 6 months of intensive external facilitation, and explored patterns of implementation determinants in relation to early outcomes. METHODS Guided by the integrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework, we interviewed stakeholders at low-adopting VHA facilities prior to external facilitation, employed a rapid qualitative analytic process, presented findings during facility visits, and collaboratively created facilitation action plans to achieve goals set by the facilities that would increase M-OUD uptake. The primary outcome was the Substance Use Disorder (SUD)-16, which is a VHA facility-level performance metric consisting of the percent of patients receiving M-OUD among those with an OUD diagnosis. We examined the relationship between pre-implementation factors and 6-month SUD-16 outcomes. RESULTS Across eight VHA facilities, we interviewed 68 participants. Implementation determinants included barriers and facilitators across innovation, context, and recipients constructs of i-PARIHS. Each facility selected goals based on the qualitative results. At 6 months, two facilities achieved most goals and two facilities demonstrated progress. The SUD-16 from baseline to 6 months significantly improved in two facilities (8.4% increase (95 % confidence interval [CI] 4.4-12.4) and 9.9% increase (95% CI 3.6-16.2), respectively). Six-month implementation outcomes showed that the extent to which M-OUD aligns with existing clinical practices and values was a primary factor at all facilities, with six of eight facilities perceiving it as both a barrier and facilitator. External health system barriers were most challenging for facilities with the smallest change in SUD-16. CONCLUSIONS Early impacts of a multi-faceted implementation approach demonstrated a strong signal for positively impacting M-OUD prescribing in low-adopting VHA facilities. This signal indicates that external facilitation can influence adoption of M-OUD at the facility level in the early implementation phase. These short-term wins experienced by stakeholders may encourage continued adoption and long-term sustainability M-OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Gustavson
- Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mail Code #152, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA.
| | | | - Marie E Kenny
- Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mail Code #152, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Hope A Salameh
- Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mail Code #152, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Princess E Ackland
- Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mail Code #152, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Barbara Clothier
- Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mail Code #152, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Siamak Noorbaloochi
- Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mail Code #152, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative; Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS), VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84148, USA.,Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Hildi J Hagedorn
- Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1 Veterans Drive, Mail Code #152, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
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Warfield S, Karras E, Lilly C, Brumage M, Bossarte RM. Causes of death among U.S. Veterans with a prior nonfatal opioid overdose. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 219:108484. [PMID: 33395597 PMCID: PMC8406624 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For over a decade, there has been a surge in opioid-related morbidity and mortality among Veterans. To better understand the impact of the growing epidemic, it is important to identify the cause-specific mortality rates among Veterans with a prior nonfatal opioid overdose. METHODS We followed 8370 Veterans who received medical care for a nonfatal opioid overdose between 2011 through 2015.Mortality records were linked to clinical records from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). We compared the mortality rates among those with a nonfatal opioid overdose to a 5 % stratified random sample of patients accessing services during the same time period. SMRs were calculated using age-adjusted cause-specific mortality rates for the l U.S. population obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER). RESULTS The crude mortality for Veterans with a history of a nonfatal overdose was 370.6 per 10,000 person years. Those with a prior nonfatal overdose had a higher risk of substance-related mortality (aHR [adjusted Hazard Ratio] 5.0), including a higher risk of death from drugs (aHR 6.9) and alcohol (aHR 2.7). Similarly, cause-specific mortalities assessed between Veterans and the U.S. population, SMRs were also highest for deaths associated with substances (114.0). CONCLUSION Veterans with a prior nonfatal overdose experienced substantially higher mortality rates compared to other Veterans or the general U.S. POPULATION Causes of death related to substance use and mental health were significantly higher than other causes of death, highlighting the importance of integrated treatment and substance use services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Warfield
- Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs, 400 Fort Hill Avenue, Canandaigua, NY, 14424, USA; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, P.O. Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA; Injury Control Research Center, West Virginia University, 3606 Collins Ferry Rd, Suites 201 & 202, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Karras
- Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs, 400 Fort Hill Avenue, Canandaigua, NY, 14424, USA; Injury Control Research Center, West Virginia University, 3606 Collins Ferry Rd, Suites 201 & 202, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Christa Lilly
- Department of Biostatistics, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, P.O. Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Michael Brumage
- Injury Control Research Center, West Virginia University, 3606 Collins Ferry Rd, Suites 201 & 202, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; Department of Occupational Medicine, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, P.O. Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Robert M Bossarte
- Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs, 400 Fort Hill Avenue, Canandaigua, NY, 14424, USA; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, P.O. Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA; Injury Control Research Center, West Virginia University, 3606 Collins Ferry Rd, Suites 201 & 202, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, P.O. Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
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Mailloux LM, Haas MT, Larew JM, DeJongh BM. Development and implementation of a physician-pharmacist collaborative practice model for provision and management of buprenorphine/naloxone. Ment Health Clin 2021; 11:35-39. [PMID: 33505825 PMCID: PMC7800330 DOI: 10.9740/mhc.2021.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Physician-pharmacist collaborative practice models (PPCPM) decrease barriers and increase access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) but are not routine in practice. The purpose of this quality improvement initiative is to develop and implement a PPCPM for management of patients on MOUD with buprenorphine/naloxone to minimize provider burden, expand access to treatment, and enhance overall patient care. Methods A PPCPM for management of patients on MOUD with buprenorphine/naloxone was piloted in an outpatient substance use disorder clinic. Approximately 4 hours per week were dedicated to physician-pharmacist collaborative medical appointments for a 5-month trial period. The pharmacist met with the patient first and then staffed the case with the collaborating psychiatrist. Descriptive data from PPCPM appointments was collected and compared to data from psychiatrist-only appointments. Results Twenty-five patients were seen over 44 appointments with an estimated 33 hours of psychiatrist time saved. Average initial and end buprenorphine doses, urine drug screen (UDS) results, and mental health (MH) medication interventions were similar between patients seen in PPCPM appointments compared with those seen in psychiatrist-only appointments. Collection of UDS, identification and management of MOUD adherence issues, other service referrals, and medication reconciliation intervention were more frequent in PPCPM appointments. Discussion Implementation of a PPCPM allowed for provision of a similar level of care regarding MOUD and MH-related medication management while saving psychiatrist time. Other enhancements to patient care provided through pharmacist intervention included more frequent identification and management of MOUD adherence issues, referral for other services, and medication reconciliation interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M Mailloux
- Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.,Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.,Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Mequon, Wisconsin
| | - Matthew T Haas
- Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Janel M Larew
- Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Beth M DeJongh
- Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Mequon, Wisconsin
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Louie E, Giannopoulos V, Baillie A, Uribe G, Wood K, Teesson M, Childs S, Rogers D, Haber PS, Morley KC. Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of the Pathways to Comorbidity Care (PCC) Training Package for the Management of Comorbid Mental Disorders in Drug and Alcohol Settings. FRONTIERS IN HEALTH SERVICES 2021; 1:785391. [PMID: 36926478 PMCID: PMC10012778 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2021.785391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background: We have previously reported that the Pathways to Comorbidity Care (PCC) training program for alcohol and other drug (AOD) clinicians improved identification of comorbidity, self-efficacy, and attitudes toward screening and monitoring of comorbidity. We aimed to identify barriers and facilitators of implementation of the PCC training program in drug and alcohol settings. Methods: The PCC training program was implemented across 6 matched sites in Australia as per (1), and 20 clinicians received training. PCC training included seminar presentations, workshops conducted by local "clinical champions," individual clinical supervision, and access to an online information portal. We examined barriers and facilitators of implementation according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Results: Barriers included inner setting (e.g., allocated time for learning) and characteristics of individuals (e.g., resistance). Facilitators included intervention characteristics (e.g., credible sources), inner setting (e.g., leadership), and outer setting domains (e.g., patient needs). Clinical champions were identified as an important component of the implementation process. Conclusions: Barriers included limited specific allocated time for learning. A credible clinical supervisor, strong leadership engagement and an active clinical champion were found to be facilitators of the PCC training program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Louie
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vicki Giannopoulos
- Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew Baillie
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gabriela Uribe
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katie Wood
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maree Teesson
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Steven Childs
- Central Coast Local Health District, Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Gosford, NSW, Australia
| | - David Rogers
- Drug and Alcohol Services, Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia
| | - Paul S Haber
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Kirsten C Morley
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Madden EF, Prevedel S, Light T, Sulzer SH. Intervention Stigma toward Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: A Systematic Review. Subst Use Misuse 2021; 56:2181-2201. [PMID: 34538213 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2021.1975749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are evidence-based treatments, yet can be controversial among some populations. This study provides a systematic review of prejudice and discrimination toward MOUD, a form of "intervention stigma," or stigma associated with a particular medical treatment. A systematic search strategy was used in PsychInfo and PubMed to identify studies published between 1998 and 2018. Studies that empirically examined stigma toward MOUD were included if the manuscript was of moderate or high quality. Studies were analyzed using thematic synthesis. The search yielded 972 studies, of which 28 were included. Most studies utilized qualitative methods to examine intervention stigma toward methadone or buprenorphine, with one including naltrexone. Studies demonstrated that intervention stigma among healthcare providers was influenced by lack of training and abstinent treatment preferences. Providers equated MOUD with illicit substance use and at times refused to care for MOUD patients. Stigma among peer patients seeking treatment was also influenced by abstinent treatment preferences, and among the general public stigma was influenced by lack of MOUD knowledge. Intervention stigma was also driven at the policy level by high regulation of methadone, which fueled diversion and hindered social functioning among patients. Few studies indicated how to reduce intervention stigma toward MOUD. Intervention stigma affects both provision and perceptions of methadone and buprenorphine, decreasing access and utilization of MOUD. Future research should further develop and test MOUD stigma reduction interventions in a variety of social contexts to improve access to care and reduce patient barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Fanning Madden
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Suzanne Prevedel
- Utah State University Extension, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Timothy Light
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University-Southern Utah, Ivins, Utah, USA
| | - Sandra H Sulzer
- Utah State University Extension, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
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Empowering Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners to Expand Treatment Opportunities for Veterans With Opioid Use Disorder. J Addict Nurs 2020; 31:261-268. [PMID: 33264198 DOI: 10.1097/jan.0000000000000366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few veterans with opioid use disorder receive effective treatment despite the Veterans Health Administration's efforts to expand treatment by offering buprenorphine, a medication to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD). An insufficient prescribing workforce contributes to the underutilization of buprenorphine; however, nurse practitioners (NPs) can now obtain a waiver to prescribe this medication. This quality improvement project aimed to expand the prescribing workforce by educating psychiatric mental health NPs (PMHNPs) working in an emergency setting at a Veterans Affairs Health Care System about free MOUD training and empowering them to utilize buprenorphine treatment. METHODS Eleven PMHNPs were asked for their perception of prescribing buprenorphine. They were asked if they had an MOUD waiver and/or were aware of the free waiver training. The PMHNPs were educated on the importance and process of obtaining the DEA-X waiver, and then a post-intervention discussion was completed to determine if they completed the waiver training. RESULTS At baseline, all 11 PMHNPs believed offering MOUD was important, but only three had the waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. After the education, three additional PMHNPs obtained the waiver and 10 planned to have the waiver in the next year. The department is planning to trial offering buprenorphine treatment, and PMHNPs at this facility are privileged to prescribe buprenorphine. In addition, five new PMHNP residents started or completed the training. CONCLUSIONS This project shows the potential to increase veteran access to MOUD by emphasizing education and empowering PMHNPs to initiate treatment. Providing education regarding the importance of buprenorphine treatment in the emergency setting and delivering information about the free waiver training facilitated workforce preparedness.
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Increasing Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder and Complementary and Integrative Health Services in Primary Care. J Gen Intern Med 2020; 35:918-926. [PMID: 33145686 PMCID: PMC7728925 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06255-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evidence-based therapies for opioid use disorder (OUD) and chronic pain, such as medications for OUD (MOUD) and complementary and integrative health (CIH; e.g., acupuncture and meditation) therapies, exist. However, their adoption has been slow, particularly in primary care, due to numerous implementation challenges. We sought to expand the use of MOUD and CIH within primary care by using an evidence-based quality improvement (EBQI) implementation strategy. METHODS We used EBQI to engage two facilities in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) from June 2018 to September 2019. EBQI included multilevel stakeholder engagement, with external facilitators providing technical support, practice facilitation, and routine data feedback. We established a quality improvement (QI) team at each facility with diverse stakeholders (e.g., primary care, addiction, pain, nursing, pharmacy). We met monthly with regional stakeholders to address implementation barriers. We also convened an advisory board to ensure alignment with national priorities. RESULTS Pre-implementation interviews indicated facility-level and provider-level barriers to prescribing buprenorphine, including strong primary care provider resistance. Both facilities developed action plans. They both conducted educational meetings (e.g., Grand Rounds, MOUD waiver trainings). Facility A also offered clinical preceptorships for newly trained primary care prescribers. Facility B used mass media and mailings to educate patients about MOUD and CIH options and dashboards to identify potential candidates for MOUD. After 15 months, both facilities increased their OUD treatment rates to the ≥ 90th percentile of VHA medical centers nationally. Exit interviews indicated an attitudinal shift in MOUD delivery in primary care. Stakeholders valued the EBQI process, particularly cross-site collaboration. IMPLICATIONS Despite initial implementation barriers, we effectively engaged stakeholders using EBQI strategies. Local QI teams used an assortment of QI interventions and developed tools to catapult their facilities to among the highest performers in VHA OUD treatment. IMPACTS EBQI is an effective strategy to partner with stakeholders to implement MOUD and CIH therapies.
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Barriers and Facilitators to the Use of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: a Rapid Review. J Gen Intern Med 2020; 35:954-963. [PMID: 33145687 PMCID: PMC7728943 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06257-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite evidence that medications to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) are effective, most people who could benefit from this treatment do not receive it. This rapid review synthesizes evidence on current barriers and facilitators to buprenorphine/naloxone and naltrexone at the patient, provider, and system levels to inform future interventions aimed at expanding treatment. METHODS We systematically searched numerous bibliographic databases through May 2020 and selected studies published since 2014. Study selection, data abstraction, coding of barriers and facilitators, and quality assessment were first completed by one reviewer and checked by a second. RESULTS We included 40 studies of buprenorphine (5 also discussed naltrexone). Four types of patient and provider-level barriers to OUD medication use emerged-stigma related to OUD medications, treatment experiences and beliefs (positive or negative), logistical issues (time and costs as well as insurance and regulatory requirements), and knowledge (high or low) of OUD and the role of medications. Stigma was the most common barrier among patients, while logistical issues were the most common barriers among providers. Facilitators for both patients and providers included peer supports. Most administrator-identified or system-level barriers and facilitators fit into the category of logistical issues. We have moderate confidence in buprenorphine findings but low confidence in naltrexone findings due to the small number of studies. DISCUSSION Stigma, treatment experiences, logistical issues, and knowledge gaps are the main barriers associated with low utilization of OUD medications. These barriers can overlap and mutually reinforce each other, but given that, it is plausible that reducing one barrier may lead to reductions in others. The highest priority for future research is to evaluate interventions to reduce stigma. Other priorities for future research include better identification of barriers and facilitators for specific populations, such as those with OUD related to prescription opioids, and for naltrexone use. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION PROSPERO; CRD42019133394.
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Becker WC, Krebs EE, Edmond SN, Lin LA, Sullivan MD, Weiss RD, Gordon AJ. A Research Agenda for Advancing Strategies to Improve Opioid Safety: Findings from a VHA State of the Art Conference. J Gen Intern Med 2020; 35:978-982. [PMID: 33145681 PMCID: PMC7728950 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06260-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
US military Veterans have been disproportionately impacted by the US opioid overdose crisis. In the fall of 2019, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) convened a state-of-the-art (SOTA) conference to develop research priorities for advancing the science and clinical practice of opioid safety, including both use of opioid analgesics and managing opioid use disorder. We present the methods and consensus recommendations from the SOTA. A core group of researchers and VA clinical stakeholders defined three areas of focus for the SOTA: managing opioid use disorder, long-term opioid therapy for pain including consideration for opioid tapering, and treatment of co-occurring pain and substance use disorders. The SOTA participants divided into three workgroups and identified key questions and seminal studies related to those three areas of focus. The strongest recommendations included testing implementation strategies in the VHA for expanding access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder, testing collaborative tapering programs for patients prescribed long-term opioids, and larger trials of behavioral and exercise/movement interventions for pain among patients with substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Becker
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities & Education Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Erin E Krebs
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sara N Edmond
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities & Education Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lewei A Lin
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mark D Sullivan
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Roger D Weiss
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- Vulnerable Veteran Innovative Patient Aligned Care Team Initiative; Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Jacobson N, Horst J, Wilcox-Warren L, Toy A, Knudsen HK, Brown R, Haram E, Madden L, Molfenter T. Organizational Facilitators and Barriers to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Capacity Expansion and Use. J Behav Health Serv Res 2020; 47:439-448. [PMID: 32347426 PMCID: PMC7578054 DOI: 10.1007/s11414-020-09706-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is a key strategy for addressing the opioid use disorder crisis, yet gaps in MOUD provision impede this strategy's benefits. The research reported here sought to understand what distinguishes low- and high-performing organizations in building and using capacity to provide MOUD. As part of a mixed methods MOUD implementation trial, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with personnel from low- and high-performing MOUD-providing organizations. Seventeen individuals from 17 organizations were interviewed. Findings demonstrate the importance of individual, organization, and community-level factors in supporting the building and use of MOUD capacity. Low- and high-performing organizations showed different patterns of facilitators and barriers during the implementation process. The key difference between low- and high-performing organizations was the level of organizational functioning. A better understanding of an organization's assets and deficits at the individual, organizational, and community levels would allow decision-makers to tailor their approaches to MOUD implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Jacobson
- University of Wisconsin, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Signe Skott Cooper Hall, 701 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53703, USA.
| | - Julie Horst
- University of Wisconsin Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies, Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, WI, 53703, USA
| | - Liam Wilcox-Warren
- University of Wisconsin Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies, Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, WI, 53703, USA
| | - Alex Toy
- University of Wisconsin Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies, Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, WI, 53703, USA
| | - Hannah K Knudsen
- Robert Straus Behavioral Science Laboratory, University of Kentucky, 845 Angliana Avenue, Lexington, KY, 40508, USA
| | - Randy Brown
- University of Wisconsin Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies, Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, WI, 53703, USA
| | - Eric Haram
- Haram Counseling, 66 Baribeau Dr Ste 8, Brunswick, ME, 04011, USA
| | - Lynn Madden
- Yale School of Medicine, APT Foundation, One Long Wharf Drive, Suite 321, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Todd Molfenter
- University of Wisconsin Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies, Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave, Madison, WI, 53703, USA
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Correlates of Transitions Into Housing Instability Among Veterans Accessing Veterans Health Administration Health Care. Med Care 2020; 58:1105-1110. [PMID: 32925462 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior research has explored the patterns and dynamics of homelessness; such an understanding is necessary to improve policy and programmatic responses and prevent new episodes of housing instability. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are to identify correlates of veterans' transitions into housing instability and inform initiatives aimed to address their needs, with a focus on how to prevent new episodes of housing instability. METHODS The cohort for this study includes 4,633,069 veterans who responded to the Veterans Health Administration's universal screen for housing instability at least twice between October 1, 2012, and September 30, 2016; 1.2% reported recent housing instability and 98.8% reported ongoing housing stability. The χ or Fisher exact tests, as appropriate, compared veterans' characteristics by housing status. A multivariate logistic regression identified independent risk factors associated with recent housing instability, controlling for sociodemographic, military service, diagnostic, and health services use variables. RESULTS Sociodemographic and health services use variables increased veterans' odds of transitioning into housing instability. The diagnoses with the greatest effect sizes were drug use disorder (adjusted odds ratio=1.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.45-1.55) and opioid use disorder, which was associated with a >2-fold increase in the odds of experiencing recent housing instability (adjusted odds ratio=2.22, 95% confidence interval: 2.04-2.41). CONCLUSIONS The present study provides evidence to inform existing and future interventions to prevent new episodes of housing instability. Veterans with opioid use disorder were at greatest risk of becoming unstably housed; increasing access to medication-assisted treatment in homeless-focused services is needed.
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Karmali RN, Ray GT, Rubinstein AL, Sterling SA, Weisner CM, Campbell CI. The role of substance use disorders in experiencing a repeat opioid overdose, and substance use treatment patterns among patients with a non-fatal opioid overdose. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 209:107923. [PMID: 32126455 PMCID: PMC7238973 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A non-fatal opioid overdose (NFOO) increases the risk of another overdose and identifies high-risk patients. We estimated the risk of repeat opioid overdose for patients with and without substance use disorder (SUD) diagnoses and the change in substance use treatment utilization rates associated with the first NFOO. METHODS We selected patients (>18 years of age) from Kaiser Permanente Northern California with a NFOO between 2009-2016 (n = 3,992). Cox proportional hazards models estimated the 1-year risk of opioid overdose associated with SUD diagnoses (opioid, alcohol, cannabis, amphetamine, sedative, and cocaine), controlling for patient characteristics. Among patients with an index NFOO, we calculated monthly utilization rates for outpatient substance use services and buprenorphine before and after the index overdose. Interrupted time series models estimated the change in level and trend in utilization rates associated with the index overdose. RESULTS Approximately 7.2 % of patients had a repeat opioid overdose during the year after the index NFOO. The only SUD diagnosis significantly associated with greater risk of repeat overdose was opioid use disorder (OUD) (aHR: 1.51; 95 % CI: 1.13-2.01). Before the index overdose, 4.16 % of patients received outpatient substance use services and 1.32 % received buprenorphine. The index overdose was associated with a 5.94 % (standard error: 0.77 %) absolute increase in outpatient substance use services and a 1.29 % (standard error: 0.15 %) increase in buprenorphine. CONCLUSION Patients with a NFOO and OUD are vulnerable to another overdose. Low initiation rates for substance use treatment after a NFOO indicate a need to address patient, provider, and system barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - G. Thomas Ray
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Division of Research
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Pytell JD, Buresh ME, Graddy R. Outcomes of a novel office-based opioid treatment program in an internal medicine resident continuity practice. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2019; 14:46. [PMID: 31856915 PMCID: PMC6921403 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-019-0175-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The integration of opioid use disorder (OUD) care and competencies in graduate medical education training is needed. Previous research shows improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and practices after exposure to OUD care. Few studies report outcomes for patients with OUD in resident physician continuity practices. METHODS A novel internal office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) program was initiated in a resident continuity clinic. Surveys of resident and staff knowledge and attitudes of OBOT were administered at baseline and 4 months. A retrospective chart review of the 15-month OBOT clinic obtained patient characteristics and outcomes. RESULTS Twelve patients with OUD were seen in the OBOT clinic. Seven patients (58%) were retained in care at the end of the study period for a range of 9-15 months. Eight patients demonstrated a good clinical response. Surveys of residents and staff at 4 months were unchanged from baseline showing persistent lack of comfort in caring for patients with OUD. CONCLUSIONS OBOT can be successfully integrated into resident continuity practices with positive patient outcomes. Improvement in resident and staff attitudes toward OBOT were not observed and likely require direct and frequent exposure to OUD care to increase acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarratt D Pytell
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Mason Lord Building, East Tower, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| | - Megan E Buresh
- Division of Addiction Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Mason Lord Building, East Tower, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ryan Graddy
- Division of Addiction Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Mason Lord Building, East Tower, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
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Leece P, Khorasheh T, Corace K, Strike C, Bayoumi AM, Taha S, Marks E, Pach B, Ahamad K, Grennell E, Holowaty M, Manson H, Straus SE. Barriers and facilitators to buprenorphine use for opioid agonist treatment: protocol for a scoping review. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e032285. [PMID: 31843837 PMCID: PMC6924699 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the context of the opioid crisis in North America, the benefits of evidence-based opioid agonist treatments such as buprenorphine/naloxone have not been optimised due to low uptake. Numerous factors contribute to the underuse of buprenorphine, and theory-informed approaches to identify and address implementation barriers and facilitators are needed. This scoping review aims to characterise the barriers and facilitators at the patient, healthcare professional, organisation and system level according to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), and identify gaps to inform practice and policy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will conduct a scoping review using established methods and follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews. We will identify English and French-language peer-reviewed literature by searching five electronic bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and SocINDEX), from inception and use Google, websites of key organisations, and two or more custom search engines to identify relevant grey literature. Eligible records will be quantitative or qualitative studies that examine barriers and facilitators to buprenorphine use at the patient, healthcare professional, organisation and system level, and involve participants with diagnosis of opioid use disorder or professionals involved in their care. Two reviewers will be involved in independently screening, reviewing and charting the data and calibration exercises will be conducted at each stage. We will conduct descriptive analysis for the charted data, and deductively code barriers and facilitators using the TDF. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION As a scoping review of the literature, this study does not require ethics approval. Our dissemination strategy will focus on developing tailored activities to meet the needs of diverse knowledge user audiences. Barriers and facilitators mapped to the TDF can be linked to evidence-based strategies for change to improve buprenorphine use and access, and enable practice to reduce opioid-related harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Leece
- Health Promotion, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Triti Khorasheh
- Health Promotion, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kimberly Corace
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carol Strike
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ahmed M Bayoumi
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sheena Taha
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elisabeth Marks
- Knowledge Services, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Beata Pach
- Knowledge Services, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Keith Ahamad
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Erin Grennell
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melissa Holowaty
- Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Heather Manson
- Health Promotion, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sharon E Straus
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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