TY - JOUR
AU - C. Neeb
AU - B. M. McQuade
AU - L. Lesondak
AU - S. Madrid
AU - J. M. Schlaeger
AU - D. P. Watson
AU - N. Karnik
AU - N. Huerta
AU - S. Bhatia
AU - J. Fleurimont
AU - N. Li
AU - E. Hammerdahl
AU - R. Pesantez
AU - N. Gastala
A1 - 
AB - OBJECTIVES: With the increasing rates of opioid overdose deaths in the United States, barriers to treatment access for patients seeking medications for opioid use disorder (OUD), and challenges of initiating buprenorphine in patients who use fentanyl, it is essential to explore novel approaches to expanding access to methadone treatment. An opioid treatment program (OTP) and a federally qualified health center (FQHC) partnered to develop and implement an innovative integrated methadone and primary care treatment model. The process for integrating an OTP and FQHC to provide methadone treatment in the primary care setting will be discussed. METHODS: An OTP methadone dispensing site was co-located in the FQHC, utilizing a staffing matrix built on the expertise of each stakeholder. The OTP managed DEA and state regulatory processes, whereas the FQHC physicians provided medical treatment, including methadone treatment protocols, treatment plans, and primary care. Patient demographics, medical history, and retention data for those who entered the program between January 2021 and February 2023 were collected through chart review and analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 288 OTP-FHQC patients were enrolled during the study. Retention rates in methadone treatment at 90 and 180 days were similar to partner clinics. CONCLUSIONS: Collaboration between FQHCs and OTPs is operationally feasible and can be achieved utilizing the current staffing model of the FQHC and OTP. This model can increase access to treatment for OUD and primary care for an urban, underserved patient population.
AD - From the Department of Medicine-Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO (CN); Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois Chicago College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL (BMMQ); University of Illinois Chicago, UI Health, Mile Square Health Center, Chicago, IL (CN, LL, SM, NH, SB, JF, NL, EH, RP, NG); Department of Human Development Nursing Science, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL (JMS); Chestnut Health Systems, Lighthouse Institute, Chicago, IL (DPW); and Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL (NK).
AN - 38884619
BT - J Addict Med
C5 - Opioids & Substance Use
CP - 6
DA - Nov-Dec 01
DO - 10.1097/adm.0000000000001336
DP - NLM
ET - 20240613
IS - 6
JF - J Addict Med
LA - eng
N2 - OBJECTIVES: With the increasing rates of opioid overdose deaths in the United States, barriers to treatment access for patients seeking medications for opioid use disorder (OUD), and challenges of initiating buprenorphine in patients who use fentanyl, it is essential to explore novel approaches to expanding access to methadone treatment. An opioid treatment program (OTP) and a federally qualified health center (FQHC) partnered to develop and implement an innovative integrated methadone and primary care treatment model. The process for integrating an OTP and FQHC to provide methadone treatment in the primary care setting will be discussed. METHODS: An OTP methadone dispensing site was co-located in the FQHC, utilizing a staffing matrix built on the expertise of each stakeholder. The OTP managed DEA and state regulatory processes, whereas the FQHC physicians provided medical treatment, including methadone treatment protocols, treatment plans, and primary care. Patient demographics, medical history, and retention data for those who entered the program between January 2021 and February 2023 were collected through chart review and analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 288 OTP-FHQC patients were enrolled during the study. Retention rates in methadone treatment at 90 and 180 days were similar to partner clinics. CONCLUSIONS: Collaboration between FQHCs and OTPs is operationally feasible and can be achieved utilizing the current staffing model of the FQHC and OTP. This model can increase access to treatment for OUD and primary care for an urban, underserved patient population.
PY - 2024
SN - 1932-0620
SP - 663
EP - 669+
ST - Integration of a Community Opioid Treatment Program Into a Federally Qualified Health Center
T1 - Integration of a Community Opioid Treatment Program Into a Federally Qualified Health Center
T2 - J Addict Med
TI - Integration of a Community Opioid Treatment Program Into a Federally Qualified Health Center
U1 - Opioids & Substance Use
U3 - 10.1097/adm.0000000000001336
VL - 18
VO - 1932-0620
Y1 - 2024
ER -