Empowering Primary Care Nurse Practitioners: A Multilevel Approach to Combating the Opioid Crisis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nursing Practice
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• The opioid overdose epidemic is a critical global public health issue, particularly severe in the United States.
• Limited access to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) presents a significant barrier.
• Primary care nurse practitioners are vital in expanding treatment access and bridging the care gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To recommend a literature-driven, empirically informed multilevel approach for nurse practitioners (NPs) to manage opioid use disorder (OUD).
• To strengthen NP capacity at individual, dyadic (nurse-patient), and systems levels for optimal OUD care.
• To address barriers inhibiting NPs in managing OUD and impacting patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A position paper highlighting multilevel barriers faced by NPs in OUD management.
• Adaptation of the Advanced Practice Provider conceptual model to guide the analysis.
• Illustration of interconnected layers: NPs, clinical care, education, professional development, and organizational factors.

Main Results:

• Multilevel barriers negatively impact NP's ability to manage OUD.
• The adapted conceptual model demonstrates the interplay between NPs, patient care, and systemic factors.
• NPs require enhanced tools and support to effectively manage OUD.

Conclusions:

• Equipping NPs with knowledge and empowerment tools for OUD care profoundly impacts providers, patients, and public health.
• A multilevel approach is essential for addressing the opioid crisis comprehensively.
• Future research should focus on NP experiences, barriers, and the implementation of multilevel interventions for OUD.