TY - JOUR
AU - R. Wasserman
AU - J. Terrien
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: Americans experiencing substance use disorder (SUD) carry a significant chronic disease burden, yet only half use primary care. Patients in treatment for SUD who are connected with primary care typically have better overall health outcomes. LOCAL PROBLEM: The identified intensive outpatient program (IOP) had no protocol in place to engage patients with primary care. METHODS: This project piloted the development and implementation of an original, evidence-based primary care integration program. It consisted of a psychoeducation group, a referral by case management, and establishment of an internal referral process to affiliated primary care providers (PCPs). INTERVENTIONS: Following the psychoeducation group, pre and posttests of patient-reported knowledge and attitudes regarding primary care were compared. Participants were contacted to collect further data after IOP discharge. An education and feedback session was held with affiliated PCPs, and an internal referral process was devised by leadership. RESULTS: Mean scores measuring patient knowledge and attitudes regarding primary care increased after participation in the structured psychoeducation group. By time of IOP discharge, 100% (n = 12) of participants had either a referral or scheduled appointment with a PCP in place. At time of follow-up, 90% (n = 9) reported that they had attended or planned to attend their scheduled PCP appointment. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive integration program in the IOP setting can improve patient engagement with primary care. Quality improvement implementation will require consideration of challenges faced during the pilot involving scheduling, staff buy-in, changes in patient acuity, the electronic medical record, and insurance.
AD - UMASS Medical School Graduate School of Nursing, Worcester, Massachusetts.; UMASS Medical School Graduate School of Nursing, Worcester, Massachusetts.
BT - Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners
C5 - Education & Workforce; Healthcare Disparities; Opioids & Substance Use
CY - United States
DO - 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000432
JF - Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners
LA - eng
M1 - Journal Article
N2 - BACKGROUND: Americans experiencing substance use disorder (SUD) carry a significant chronic disease burden, yet only half use primary care. Patients in treatment for SUD who are connected with primary care typically have better overall health outcomes. LOCAL PROBLEM: The identified intensive outpatient program (IOP) had no protocol in place to engage patients with primary care. METHODS: This project piloted the development and implementation of an original, evidence-based primary care integration program. It consisted of a psychoeducation group, a referral by case management, and establishment of an internal referral process to affiliated primary care providers (PCPs). INTERVENTIONS: Following the psychoeducation group, pre and posttests of patient-reported knowledge and attitudes regarding primary care were compared. Participants were contacted to collect further data after IOP discharge. An education and feedback session was held with affiliated PCPs, and an internal referral process was devised by leadership. RESULTS: Mean scores measuring patient knowledge and attitudes regarding primary care increased after participation in the structured psychoeducation group. By time of IOP discharge, 100% (n = 12) of participants had either a referral or scheduled appointment with a PCP in place. At time of follow-up, 90% (n = 9) reported that they had attended or planned to attend their scheduled PCP appointment. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive integration program in the IOP setting can improve patient engagement with primary care. Quality improvement implementation will require consideration of challenges faced during the pilot involving scheduling, staff buy-in, changes in patient acuity, the electronic medical record, and insurance.
PP - United States
PY - 2020
SN - 2327-6924; 2327-6886
T1 - Integration of primary care into the substance use disorder outpatient treatment setting
T2 - Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners
TI - Integration of primary care into the substance use disorder outpatient treatment setting
U1 - Education & Workforce; Healthcare Disparities; Opioids & Substance Use
U2 - 32590443
U3 - 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000432
VO - 2327-6924; 2327-6886
Y1 - 2020
Y2 - Jun 23
ER -