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Improving Provider Willingness to Prescribe Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

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Abstract
Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) accounts for 19% of emergency department (ED) visits nationally. Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) has been proven to reduce opioid use, comorbidities, and mortality. Treating patients with MOUD in the community is a proven method for maintaining patients in treatment and improving their health. However, prescribing and follow-up care are lagging due to stigma, lack of prescriber knowledge, and unwillingness to assume the perceived burdens of prescribing. More community providers willing and trained to prescribe these life-saving medications are needed. Purpose: The purpose of this project is to improve knowledge and awareness of opioid use disorder (OUD) and prescribing of MOUD among community providers in Central Massachusetts, an area served by the project site, through an educational intervention, ultimately improving health outcomes for those with opioid use disorder. Method: An 8-hour educational intervention was delivered to community providers recruited through community networks and regional SAMHSA membership. Participants completed a pre-and-post intervention survey assessing their knowledge of OUD and MOUD, stigmatizing beliefs about people with OUD, as well as provider willingness to prescribe. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in knowledge of OUD and MOUD. There was no improvement in willingness to prescribe, although baseline willingness was already high: pre-survey, 16% of participants agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “I feel willing to prescribe MOUD.” There was also no decrease in stigmatizing beliefs. Conclusion: Knowledge increased as a result of the educational intervention but this was not sufficient to reduce stigmatizing beliefs nor to increase willingness to prescribe.
Type
Capstone Project
Date
2024-05
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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