Training HIV physicians to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid dependence

Few HIV physicians are trained to provide buprenorphine treatment. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the impact of an eight-hour course on the treatment of opioid dependence on HIV physicians' preparedness to prescribe buprenorphine. 113 of 257 trained physicians (44%) provided HIV care. Post-course, the majority of both HIV physicians and non-HIV physicians (66% vs. 67%, P = .8) planned to pursue a registration to prescribe buprenorphine. The most common reason for not planning to do so was lack of experience (9% vs. 15%, P = .19). 52 of the 113 (46%) HIV physicians had concerns about prescribing buprenorphine. 30 of the 52 (58%) indicated that interactions between buprenorphine and HAART was their primary concern. Following training, most physicians feel prepared and plan to obtain a registration to prescribe buprenorphine. HIV physicians' concerns regarding interactions between buprenorphine and HAART need to be addressed in future training efforts.