Literature Collection

OBJECTIVE: Primary care physicians (PCPs) are positioned to mitigate opioid morbidity and mortality, but their engagement in primary, secondary, and tertiary opioid-related prevention behaviors is unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate Tennessee PCPs' engagement in and intention to engage in multiple opioid-related prevention behaviors. METHODS: A survey instrument was developed, pretested, and pilot tested with practicing PCPs. Thereafter, a census of eligible Tennessee PCPs was conducted using a modified, four-wave tailored design method approach. Three patient scenarios were employed to assess physician intention to engage in 10 primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention behaviors. Respondents were asked to report, given 10 similar scenarios, the number of times (0-10) they would engage in prevention behaviors. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS version 25. RESULTS: A total of 296 usable responses were received. Physician intention to engage in prevention behaviors varied across the 10 behaviors studied. Physicians reported frequently communicating risks associated with prescription opioids to patients (8.9 ± 2.8 out of 10 patients), infrequently utilizing brief questionnaires to assess for risk of opioid misuse (1.7 ± 3.3 out of 10 patients), and screening for current opioid misuse (3.1 ± 4.3 out of 10 patients). Physicians reported seldomly co-prescribing naloxone for overdose reversal and frequently discharging from practice patients presenting with an opioid use disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This study noted strengths and opportunities to increase engagement in prevention behaviors. Understanding PCPs' engagement in opioid-related prevention behaviors is important to effectively target and implement morbidity and mortality reducing interventions.

This study examined a program focused on integrating mental health in a family medicine practice in an economically challenged urban setting. The program included using a behavioral health technology platform, a behavioral health collaborative composed of community mental health agencies, and a community health worker (CHW). Of the 202 patients screened, 196 were used for analysis; 56% were positive for anxiety, 38% had scores consistent with moderate to severe depression, and 34% were positive for post-traumatic stress disorder. There was a statistically significant difference in the diagnosis of depression when comparing the screened group to a control group. Only 27% of patients followed through with behavioral health referrals despite navigational assistance provided by a CHW and assured access to care through a community agency engaged with the Behavioral Health Alliance. Further qualitative analysis revealed that there were complex patient factors that affected patient decision making regarding follow-up with behavioral health care.

OBJECTIVE: To explore primary care patients' and practitioners' views and experiences of remote consulting for common mental disorders (CMDs), to optimise their management in primary care. DESIGN: Qualitative study using in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. A topic guide was used to ensure consistency across interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. There was patient and public input throughout. SETTING: Participants were recruited from general practices. Interviews were held by telephone or videocall between March 2023 and October 2023. PARTICIPANTS: We interviewed 20 practitioners and 21 patients. RESULTS: Interviewees suggested benefits included convenience, increased anonymity and were easier for those feeling very low or anxious. Challenges included practitioners finding it hard to assess risk, which lengthened consultation duration or led to further contact, increasing practice workload and patients feeling anxious waiting for the practitioner to call. In-person appointments were viewed as important for initial consultations and providing a safe space. Continuity of care and practitioner training were identified as facilitators for telephone consultations, and both patients and practitioners identified training needs around how to deliver mental healthcare remotely. CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners should aim to offer continuity of care and in-person appointments when patients initially seek help. Remote consultations may not be more time or cost-efficient for individuals with CMDs as risk is harder to assess. There is a need to evaluate existing training on delivering remote consultations to identify whether remote mental healthcare is included or should be incorporated in the future.

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.