Medication-assisted treatment 24-hr waiver training for opioid use disorder: Lessons learned

This study reports our experience in implementing and evaluating medication-assisted treatment (MAT) training. MAT training includes immersion into practice and integration of treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). During 2019-2021, MAT training was offered to students in Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. Feedback on our training program was obtained through required Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services surveys and focus groups after training sessions to assess the quality of training, materials, instruction, and impact and usefulness of training. In addition, after completion of training, surveys were emailed to those who graduated in 2020 and 2021. Surveys included demographic questions and qualitative responses to assess MAT training quality, clinical application time, and how comfortable graduates felt regarding their knowledge, skills, and attitude toward treatment. Integrating training modules from the beginning of the nursing program over several semesters facilitating students with multiple exposures to training materials and offering clinical experiences solidified students' knowledge into practice. Most students were satisfied with the training and felt the training was effective in integrating new knowledge related to MAT. More importantly, it improved students' negative attitudes toward people with OUD and students' desire to pursue being an OUD MAT provider after graduation. The continued assessment and curriculum development of MAT training in nursing programs is crucial in fighting the opioid overdose epidemic. This expansion in interested MAT providers may contribute to improving access for underserved patients seeking MAT treatment with an increase in available providers.