Integrating MOUD and Primary Care: Outcomes of a Multicenter Learning Collaborative

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Healthcare Management
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a critical public health crisis requiring expanded treatment options.
• Primary care settings are a promising venue for increasing access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
• Learning collaboratives (LCs) are an evidence-based strategy to facilitate MOUD implementation in primary care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a multidisciplinary MOUD learning collaborative in underserved primary care clinics.
• To assess the impact of the collaborative on clinics' capacity to implement or improve MOUD programs.
• To identify barriers and enablers to MOUD program success in primary care.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was used to study a collaborative involving six underserved primary care clinics.
• Clinics received training and support to enhance their MOUD programs.
• Pre- and post-collaborative assessments measured perceived competence and quality improvement goals.

Main Results:

• Approximately 80% of participating clinics achieved their quality improvement goals.
• Perceived competence in implementing/improving MOUD programs significantly increased post-collaborative (2.80 to 6.33/10, P=.02).
• Stigma surrounding OUD was a consistent barrier, while trainee interest, leadership support, and dedicated MOUD teams were key enablers.

Conclusions:

• The learning collaborative effectively enhanced MOUD program implementation and improvement in primary care.
• Addressing stigma through additional staff/clinician training is crucial for MOUD success.
• Sustained organizational support is vital for long-term MOUD program effectiveness.