Building a Group-Based Opioid Treatment (GBOT) blueprint: a qualitative study delineating GBOT implementation

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Health Services Research
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Group-Based Opioid Treatment (GBOT) is an emerging outpatient strategy for opioid use disorder (OUD).
• Limited literature exists on the practical "how-to" aspects of GBOT implementation.
• This study addresses the gap by delineating core and malleable components for successful GBOT delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the core components essential for GBOT implementation.
• To identify malleable components and provide a framework for their adaptable application.
• To create a blueprint for implementing GBOT in outpatient settings.

Main Methods:

• Integrated findings from a systematic review and additional literature search.
• Reviewed best practices, policies, and organizational change frameworks.
• Conducted qualitative thematic analysis of interviews and focus groups from 5 GBOT programs.

Main Results:

• Identified 6 core components: consistent group expectations, team-based care, safe space, billing compliance, regular monitoring, and patient participation.
• Identified 14 malleable components.
• Developed a novel conceptual framework considering empirical, theoretical, and practical dimensions for malleable components.

Conclusions:

• The outlined blueprint provides a framework for office-based opioid treatment sites to implement GBOT.
• This framework can guide future research on GBOT efficacy and component influence on outcomes.
• It supports continuous refinement of GBOT implementation strategies.