Knowledge gaps and practice patterns of clinicians treating patients with opioid use disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 455-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maziar Rasulnia, PhD ◽  
Billy Stephen Burton, MS ◽  
Dhiren Patel, PharmD
Keyword(s):  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Practice Patterns ◽  
Physician Assistants ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Audit And Feedback ◽  
Primary Study ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Survey Tool

Objective: The goal of the study was to assess knowledge gaps and practice patterns of US-based addiction specialists, primary care physicians (PCPs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs) who treat patients with opioid use disorder (OUD).Design: As part of a prospective study, the authors developed a survey tool consisting of case-vignettes and questions designed to reveal practice patterns and highlight gaps in clinician knowledge.Setting: The primary study setting included clinicians practicing in outpatient care.Participants: The surveys were distributed via email between August and September 2017 to a national sample of addiction specialists, PCPs, and NPs/Pas that see at least one patient per week and at least 1 percent of their patient population had to be diagnosed with OUD.Results: The knowledge assessment results varied among the clinicians surveyed. Addiction specialists saw more patients with OUD than PCPs, NPs, or PAs. They also demonstrated a higher level of understanding and knowledge of the various domains assessed.Conclusions: There are multiple educational intervention strategies that can support the clinicians; including reducing restrictions to access treatment for OUD, care coordination programs for patients to improve early access to treatment and education, and frequent chart audit and feedback programs to support clinician decision making and education.

Stigma Associated with Opioid Use Disorder and Medication Assisted Treatment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Harry Holt
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Medication Assisted Treatment

<b>Purpose</b>: This paper reviews and integrates the literature on the stigma associated with opioid use disorder (OUD) and how this acts as a barrier for patients seeking Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Implications for patients in rural areas who face stigma for opioid use disorder are reviewed. <b>Methods: </b>We examine the extant literature since 2007, reviewing studies focused on the stigma against patients suffering from OUD and MAT. <b>Findings</b>: The review identifies five categories of sources of stigma that research has addressed: Stigma against the patient; stigma by nurses; stigma by primary care physicians; stigma from counselors; stigma by pharmacy and dispensary staff; stigma against MAT by drug courts, stigma by family members, coworkers, and employers. <b>Conclusions</b>: Stigma exists as prejudice, negative stereotypes and associations, and labels. Despite widespread evidence supporting Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) and Buprenorphine Maintenance Therapy (BMT) effectiveness, stigma abounds within the medical community and society at large. Discriminatory practices, poor relationships with dispensing staff, pharmacists, counselors, and doctors, and a feeling of being separate or “alien” from others are cited as barriers to involvement and participation in MAT. This has created disparities in health care outcomes as well as the access and availability of MAT services. Rural patients experience these sources of stigma and face a heightened barrier to access for MAT services. However, the primary care setting along with delivery of care through primary care physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners offers a means to increase care in rural areas.

Projected Contributions of Nurse Practitioners and Physicians Assistant to Buprenorphine Treatment Services for Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Areas

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Holly A. Andrilla ◽  
Davis G. Patterson ◽  
Tessa E. Moore ◽  
Cynthia Coulthard ◽  
Eric H. Larson
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Physician Assistants ◽  
The United States ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Prescribe Medication ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
South Central ◽  
Rural Patients

The United States is experiencing an opioid use disorder epidemic. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act allows nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to obtain a Drug Enforcement Administration waiver to prescribe medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. This study projected the potential increase in MAT availability provided by NPs and PAs for rural patients. Using workforce and survey data, and state scope of practice regulations, the number of treatment slots that could be provided by NPs and PAs was estimated for rural areas. NPs and PAs are projected to increase the number of rural patients treated with buprenorphine by 10,777 (15.2%). Census Divisions varied substantially in the number of projected new treatment slots per 10,000 population (0.8-10.6). The New England and East South Central Census Divisions are projected to have the largest population-adjusted increase. NPs and PAs have considerable potential to reduce substantial MAT access disparities.

Stigma Associated with Opioid Use Disorder and Medication Assisted Treatment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Harry Holt
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Medication Assisted Treatment

<b>Purpose</b>: This paper reviews and integrates the literature on the stigma associated with opioid use disorder (OUD) and how this acts as a barrier for patients seeking Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Implications for patients in rural areas who face stigma for opioid use disorder are reviewed. <b>Methods: </b>We examine the extant literature since 2007, reviewing studies focused on the stigma against patients suffering from OUD and MAT. <b>Findings</b>: The review identifies five categories of sources of stigma that research has addressed: Stigma against the patient; stigma by nurses; stigma by primary care physicians; stigma from counselors; stigma by pharmacy and dispensary staff; stigma against MAT by drug courts, stigma by family members, coworkers, and employers. <b>Conclusions</b>: Stigma exists as prejudice, negative stereotypes and associations, and labels. Despite widespread evidence supporting Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) and Buprenorphine Maintenance Therapy (BMT) effectiveness, stigma abounds within the medical community and society at large. Discriminatory practices, poor relationships with dispensing staff, pharmacists, counselors, and doctors, and a feeling of being separate or “alien” from others are cited as barriers to involvement and participation in MAT. This has created disparities in health care outcomes as well as the access and availability of MAT services. Rural patients experience these sources of stigma and face a heightened barrier to access for MAT services. However, the primary care setting along with delivery of care through primary care physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners offers a means to increase care in rural areas.

Healthcare Providers Face Numerous Challenges in Treating Patients with Psoriasis: Results from a Mixed-Methods Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 247553032110628
Author(s):  
Suzanne Murray ◽  
Jeffrey Crowley ◽  
Melinda J. Gooderham ◽  
Alan Kivitz ◽  
Vinod Chandran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Physician Assistants ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Practice Gaps

Background The paradigm shift toward biologic medications in psoriasis care requires healthcare providers (HCPs) to become acquainted with mechanisms of action and safety profiles of these new treatments to confidently use them in practice. A better understanding of this paradigm shift is necessary to provide adequate education for HCPs in psoriasis care. Objectives This study assessed clinical practice gaps and challenges experienced by HCPs caring for patients with psoriasis. Methods A mixed-methods approach was used to identify practice gaps and clinical challenges of dermatologists, rheumatologists, primary care physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners with various levels of clinical experience in academic and community-based settings. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected sequentially. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Results A total of 380 psoriasis care providers in Canada and the US participated in this study. Analysis revealed challenges in establishing an accurate diagnosis of psoriasis (including screening for sub-type and distinguishing psoriasis from other skin conditions), selecting treatment (particularly regarding recently approved treatments), monitoring side effects, and collaborating with other HCPs involved in psoriasis care. Conclusion These findings highlight educational needs of HCPs involved in psoriasis care that could have repercussions on accurate and timely diagnosis of the condition, treatment initiation, side effect monitoring, and continuity of care. Findings provide a starting point for clinicians to reflect on their practice and for the improvement of continuing professional development interventions that would bridge these gaps.

Development of an Instrument to Measure Community Acceptance of Nurse Practictioners and Physician Assistants

1999 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn C. Baer ◽  
Kathleen A. Baldwin ◽  
Rebecca J. Sisk ◽  
Parris Watts ◽  
Margaret S. Grinslade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Physician Assistants ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Oblique Rotation ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
Community Acceptance

The purpose of this study was to identify the significant dimensions of the concept of community acceptance of nurse practitioners/physician’s assistants and to construct areliable and valid instrument which would reflect these dimensions. The methodological approach included: conceptualization of categories, development of items for each category, development of the tool, administration of the tool, and psychometric analysis of results. Community input through focus-group interviews and post-administration questions provided qualitative data. The survey tool, consisting of items in four conceptualized categories (knowledge, access, competence, and trust), was administered in five rural communities. The responses of 967 residents were analyzed through factor analysis. The criterion, eigenvalue > 1.0, resulted in seven factors. Oblique rotation was applied to the seven factors and marker variables (loadings > .70) facilitated the identification of the underlying dimensions of each factor. Overall, 98% of the items assigned to the original categories were maintained after factor analysis. The identification of these dimensions helped to simplify the description and understanding of community acceptance of nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants. Community acceptance of these advanced health care providers is a necessary precursor to use of services.

Empowering Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners to Expand Treatment Opportunities for Veterans With Opioid Use Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-268
Author(s):  
Jennifer Jones ◽  
Matthew Tierney ◽  
Gabrielle Jacobs ◽  
Shao-Yun Chien ◽  
Sandra Mallisham
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Mental Health Nurse ◽  
Health Nurse

Primary Care and Physician Extenders in Affluent Countries

1977 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 545-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milton I. Roemer
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Physician Assistants ◽  
The United States ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Major Response ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas ◽  
Physician Extenders

The worldwide growth of specialization in medicine has led to a perceived shortage of primary care. A major response in the United States has been the training of physician extenders (both physician assistants and nurse practitioners). Other industrialized countries have rejected this approach, in favor of strengthening general medical practice through continuing education, provision of ancillary personnel, use of health centers, and by other methods. Developing countries use doctor-substitutes as a reasonable adjustment to their lack of economic resources. All countries use ancillary personnel for selected procedures, such as midwifery, which involve only limited judgment and decision making. The American strategy on use of doctor-substitutes for primary care, however, follows from unwillingness to train greater numbers of primary care physicians and to require them to serve in places of need. This results in an inequitable concentration of doctor-substitutes on service to the poor in both urban and rural areas.

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