Literature Collection

BACKGROUND: Obtaining timely access to addiction medicine treatment for patients with substance use disorders is challenging and patients often have to navigate complex referral pathways. This randomized controlled trial examines the effect of providing an expedited pathway to addiction medicine treatment on initial treatment engagement and health care utilization. METHODS: Individuals with possible alcohol or opioid use disorder were recruited from three residential withdrawal management services (WMS). Subjects randomized to the Delayed Intervention (DI) group were given contact information for a nearby addiction medicine clinic; those randomized to the Rapid Intervention (RI) group were given an appointment at the clinic within 2 days and were accompanied to their first appointment. RESULTS: Of the 174 individuals who were screened, 106 were randomized to either the DI or RI group. The two groups were similar in demographics, housing status, and substance use in the last 30 days. In the 6-month period following randomization, 85% of the RI group attended at least one clinic appointment, compared to only 29% in the DI group (p < 0.0001). The RI group had a mean of 6.39 ED visits per subject in the 12 months after randomization, while the DI group had a mean of 13.02 ED visits per subject in the same 12-month period (p = 0.0469). Other health utilization measures did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Providing immediate facilitated access to an addiction medicine service resulted in greater initial engagement and reduced emergency department visits at 6 months. Trial registration This trial is registered at the National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) under identifier #NCT01934751.

BACKGROUND: Opioid use has escalated dramatically resulting in an increase in deaths. Access to treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is poor. The addition of nurse practitioners (NPs) as prescribers of methadone for OUD offers potential for improving access. Little is known about what support NPs will require as they prescribe methadone. PURPOSE: This paper identifies facilitators and barriers to NPs prescribing methadone. METHODS: In this qualitative study, in-person and phone semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants. Participants included NPs (n=5), physicians (n=5), and stakeholders including members of professional regulatory bodies and government, academics and other clinicians (n=8). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis and software (NVivo 12.4.0) for data management. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: 1) Pervasive Barrier of Stigma; 2) Perceived Complexity of Patients Living with OUD; 3) NP Education and Practice Supports and; 4) Health Care Context and NP Role Implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers and facilitators to NP prescribing are similar to those encountered by physicians. Factors unique to NPs include the identification of role clarity as a facilitator and navigation of physician networks as a barrier. Research conducted with current NP methadone prescribers is required to evaluate implementation of this service.

BACKGROUND: Opioid use has escalated dramatically resulting in an increase in deaths. Access to treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is poor. The addition of nurse practitioners (NPs) as prescribers of methadone for OUD offers potential for improving access. Little is known about what support NPs will require as they prescribe methadone. PURPOSE: This paper identifies facilitators and barriers to NPs prescribing methadone. METHODS: In this qualitative study, in-person and phone semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants. Participants included NPs (n=5), physicians (n=5), and stakeholders including members of professional regulatory bodies and government, academics and other clinicians (n=8). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis and software (NVivo 12.4.0) for data management. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: 1) Pervasive Barrier of Stigma; 2) Perceived Complexity of Patients Living with OUD; 3) NP Education and Practice Supports and; 4) Health Care Context and NP Role Implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers and facilitators to NP prescribing are similar to those encountered by physicians. Factors unique to NPs include the identification of role clarity as a facilitator and navigation of physician networks as a barrier. Research conducted with current NP methadone prescribers is required to evaluate implementation of this service.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of barriers and facilitators to the practice of neonatal Family Integrated Care (FICare) from the perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs). DESIGN: A systematic search strategy was developed to identify qualitative studies exploring neonatal HCPs' views of any of the principles of FICare. Six literature databases (CINAHL, (Cumulated Index in Nursing and Allied Health Literature) Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched using the terms Healthcare Professionals, Neonatal, Environment, FICare, Education, Well-being, Culture, Partnership and Empowerment. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were thematically analysed. RESULTS: 11032 titles and abstracts and 85 full-text papers were screened. Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria and reported interviews with 1243 HCPs, predominantly nurses. Three themes were synthesised in relation to barriers and facilitators: (1) 'advocacy and acknowledgement', whereby HCPs are expected to advocate for the emotional and mental health of the whole family, not solely the baby's needs; (2) 'belief and behaviour', whereby the degree to which FICare is practised is dependent on HCPs' belief in its benefits in relation to other activities; (3) 'conditions and consistency', whereby a lack of space, resources, policy and consistent practice of FICare created apathy and contradictory approaches to care. CONCLUSION: Although HCPs see value in FICare, successful implementation is multifactorial and requires the expectation to deliver FICare to be aligned with resourcing at the hospital, team and individual levels. Shifting the practice paradigm to FICare remains challenging for some HCPs. Greater understanding of HCPs' views on barriers, facilitators and how FICare practice impacts individuals is required.