TY - JOUR
AU - C. Fenstemaker
AU - E. A. Abrams
AU - B. Obringer
AU - K. King
AU - L . Y. Dhanani
AU - B. Franz
A1 - 
AB - PURPOSE: Buprenorphine is a highly effective medication for opioid use disorder (OUD) that remains substantially underutilized by primary care professionals (PCPs). This is particularly true in rural communities, which have fewer prescribers and significant access disparities. The Drug Enforcement Administration removed the X-waiver requirement in December 2022, yet many rural clinicians still report barriers to prescribing buprenorphine. In this study, we examined rural PCPs' experiences with buprenorphine to identify tailored training strategies for rural practice. METHODS: Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician associates practicing in rural Ohio counties were recruited through contacts at statewide health associations and health professions training programs. Twenty-three PCPs were interviewed about their perspectives on prescribing buprenorphine, including their training history. FINDINGS: PCPs self-reported being motivated to respond to OUD. However, they also reported that current training efforts failed to equip them with the knowledge and resources needed to prescribe effectively, and that urban-focused training often alienated rural clinicians. Participants suggested tailoring training content to rural settings, using rural trainers, and bolstering confidence in navigating rural-specific barriers, such as resource deficits and acute opioid fatigue. CONCLUSION: Our study found that current training on buprenorphine prescribing is inadequate for meeting the needs of rural PCPs. Tailored buprenorphine training is needed to improve accessibility and acceptability, and to better support the clinical workforce in communities disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic.
AD - Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, The Institute to Advance Health Equity, Athens, Ohio, USA.; The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA.; Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio, USA.; Athens County Children's Services, Athens, Ohio, USA.; Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.
AN - 38486066
BT - J Rural Health
C5 - Opioids & Substance Use; Education & Workforce; Healthcare Disparities
DA - Mar 14
DO - 10.1111/jrh.12832
DP - NLM
ET - 20240314
JF - J Rural Health
LA - eng
N2 - PURPOSE: Buprenorphine is a highly effective medication for opioid use disorder (OUD) that remains substantially underutilized by primary care professionals (PCPs). This is particularly true in rural communities, which have fewer prescribers and significant access disparities. The Drug Enforcement Administration removed the X-waiver requirement in December 2022, yet many rural clinicians still report barriers to prescribing buprenorphine. In this study, we examined rural PCPs' experiences with buprenorphine to identify tailored training strategies for rural practice. METHODS: Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician associates practicing in rural Ohio counties were recruited through contacts at statewide health associations and health professions training programs. Twenty-three PCPs were interviewed about their perspectives on prescribing buprenorphine, including their training history. FINDINGS: PCPs self-reported being motivated to respond to OUD. However, they also reported that current training efforts failed to equip them with the knowledge and resources needed to prescribe effectively, and that urban-focused training often alienated rural clinicians. Participants suggested tailoring training content to rural settings, using rural trainers, and bolstering confidence in navigating rural-specific barriers, such as resource deficits and acute opioid fatigue. CONCLUSION: Our study found that current training on buprenorphine prescribing is inadequate for meeting the needs of rural PCPs. Tailored buprenorphine training is needed to improve accessibility and acceptability, and to better support the clinical workforce in communities disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic.
PY - 2024
SN - 0890-765x
ST - Primary care professionals' perspectives on tailoring buprenorphine training for rural practice
T1 - Primary care professionals' perspectives on tailoring buprenorphine training for rural practice
T2 - J Rural Health
TI - Primary care professionals' perspectives on tailoring buprenorphine training for rural practice
U1 - Opioids & Substance Use; Education & Workforce; Healthcare Disparities
U3 - 10.1111/jrh.12832
VO - 0890-765x
Y1 - 2024
ER -