Multi-level program enhances primary care treatment for opioid use disorder in rural Colorado

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Researchers studied the implementation of a multilevel program called Implementing Technology and Medication Assisted Treatment Team Training in Rural Colorado (IT MATTRs). The program included a practice-focused intervention to improve the awareness, adoption and use of buprenorphine to treat opioid dependence and opioid use disorder. Four hundred and forty-one team members from 42 practices in Colorado received team training and support. Treatment components that support team-based care, as well as clinicians' obtaining the Drug Enforcement Agency waiver needed to prescribe buprenorphine for OUD, were assessed before and after training implementation.

Prior to training, practices reported having an average of 4.7 treatment-related components, such as patient consent forms or a urine drug testing protocol in place. Practices reported an average of 13 components at 12 months post-intervention. The proportion of participating practices providing or referring patients for treatment increased from 18.8% to 74.4%, and the number of people with a prescription for buprenorphine in the rural Colorado study region was significantly greater over a four-year period (87%) compared to the rest of the state (65%). IT MATTRS training for primary care teams in OUD treatment with buprenorphine addresses elements beyond the required clinician waiver training to make implementation a reality. It effectively increased implementation and delivery in Colorado.

More information: Linda Zittleman et al, Increasing Capacity for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Primary Care Practices, The Annals of Family Medicine (2022). DOI: 10.1370/afm.2757

Journal information: Annals of Family Medicine
Citation: Multi-level program enhances primary care treatment for opioid use disorder in rural Colorado (2022, January 26) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-01-multi-level-primary-treatment-opioid-disorder.html
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