Integrating Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Into Primary Care Settings

Source:

Austin EJ, Chen J, Briggs ES, et al. Integrating Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Into Primary Care Settings. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(8):e2328627. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28627

Key Points

Question  What are multidisciplinary primary care team perspectives on barriers and facilitators to expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)?

Findings  In this survey-based and qualitative study, 4 themes encapsulated multilevel barriers and facilitators associated with primary care team provision of MOUD during implementation: (1) structural barriers delayed or limited primary care team responsiveness to patients needing opioid-related care; (2) patient engagement was more challenging than expected; (3) prescribing clinicians needed ongoing training and tools; and (4) primary care teams had conflicting attitudes about expanding MOUD care.

Meaning  The results of this qualitative study suggest that further support is needed to address the structural barriers to MOUD provision in primary care settings.