Literature Collection

Background: Opioid use and overdose are escalating in the United States. Primary care providers are in a strategic position to assess patients for medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Objectives: To describe the implementation of MAT in an integrated primary care residency clinic and assess provider comfort levels with evaluating patients for high-risk opioid use, conduct crucial conversations about MAT treatment options and referral to MAT for evaluation and treatment. Methods: As part of a Primary Care Training and Enhancement grant through Health Resources and Services Administration, we used an implementation process to allow for optimal clinic flow. The process included assessment of patient populations, identifying a provider champion, organizing multidisciplinary team, engaging a practice facilitator, designing clinic model and infrastructure, creating the electronic health record order sets along with provider and staff training. Providers responded to brief questions to evaluate comfort levels in 3 domains: identifying high-risk opioid use, conducting crucial conversations about treatment options and referral to MAT for evaluation and treatment. Discussion: Incorporating MAT within an integrated primary care clinic and residency program with waiver training for residents was a successful and innovative program. The availability of MAT provided a solution for patients that could benefit from this type of treatment. MAT presence gave providers the opportunity to refer these patients for treatment that had not previously been as accessible. Conclusion: An integrated primary care practice with an embedded MAT can be successful with an organized structure to optimize clinic flow.

BACKGROUND: The 'Everyone In' national policy initiative launched in England during the COVID- 19 pandemic provided accommodation and health and care support to people who were (or at risk of) sleeping rough. This study aims to understand what worked well and less well in implementing 'Everyone In' for improving physical and mental health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. METHODS: Between January and October 2023, in-depth interviews/focus groups were conducted across England with those involved in the delivery/implementation of 'Everyone In' and those accommodated. Framework analysis and case study analysis were used for a contextual understanding of the implementation of the policy initiative. RESULTS: Twenty-five people accommodated through 'Everyone In' (28-58 years; 88% males) and 43 service providers (25-62 years; 40% males) were interviewed. Flexibility in funding and resources, 'joining up' services/support, and innovative responsiveness in services across health, care, and housing systems were key positive features of the initiative. In the long term, 'Everyone In' has provided positive learnings for delivering holistic and integrated health and social care. It has also highlighted the importance of accommodating psychosocial needs and addressing the complexities of alcohol and substance use in all homelessness strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Pathways to care for people experiencing homelessness need to be flexible and responsive. Complexities such as substance use need to be approached with compassion while addressing the role of wider determinants in such health behaviours. Innovative approaches and joined-up work improve delivery of interventions and integrated care can reduce barriers to access to support.