Roles and Perceptions of Nurses During Implementation of a Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder National...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare delivery
• Nursing practice
• Substance use disorder treatment

Background:

• National priority to enhance medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment access in the US.
• Nurses are integral to providing MOUD care.
• Examined nurse roles and perceptions in a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) initiative to boost MOUD access in general medical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' perceptions and evolving roles in a national VHA initiative.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to implementing medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in general medical settings.
• To understand the impact of the Stepped Care for Opioid Use Disorder Train the Trainer Initiative on nurses.

Main Methods:

• Recruited nurses from 10 VHA facilities participating in the Stepped Care for Opioid Use Disorder Train the Trainer Initiative.
• Conducted interviews or email questionnaires to gather data on roles, perceptions, and experiences.
• Coded transcribed responses to identify key themes regarding MOUD implementation.

Main Results:

• Identified inadequate staffing, high patient-to-provider ratios, and time constraints as barriers to MOUD care.
• Mentorship, VHA resources, and patient willingness to engage in treatment were facilitators.
• The initiative enhanced nurses' role confidence, job satisfaction, and expertise, positioning them as local MOUD facilitators.

Conclusions:

• Nurses identified significant barriers and facilitators impacting MOUD implementation in general medical settings.
• Nurses play essential collaborative roles in improving access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
• The VHA initiative empowered nurses, enhancing their capacity to lead MOUD care.