1. Integrating addiction medicine into rural primary care: Strategies and initial outcomes.
- Author
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Logan DE, Lavoie AM, Zwick WR, Kunz K, Bumgardner MA, and Molina Y
- Subjects
- Adult, Anxiety Disorders complications, Buprenorphine administration & dosage, Depressive Disorder complications, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Narcotic Antagonists administration & dosage, Opioid-Related Disorders complications, Retrospective Studies, Addiction Medicine, Buprenorphine therapeutic use, Narcotic Antagonists therapeutic use, Opioid-Related Disorders drug therapy, Primary Health Care, Rural Health
- Abstract
Objective: This retrospective study describes the role of behavioral health in an addiction medicine program integrated in a primary care clinic, and evaluates retention, substance use, and mental health symptoms for patients in a rural underserved community., Method: Data were abstracted from records of patients referred for buprenorphine treatment of opioid use disorder (N = 101; 45% female, 23% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Mage = 42.5, SD = 12.75). Among patients prescribed buprenorphine (n = 61), most had comorbid substance-related diagnoses (72% with tobacco use, 75% with at least one other substance use disorder) and non-substance-related mental health diagnoses (77%), most commonly depression and anxiety. Integrated sessions with a behavioral health provider and a buprenorphine-waivered prescriber occurred weekly to monthly. Participants completed depression and anxiety questionnaires (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7) and provided urine samples at each visit., Results: Most patients (72%) were retained for at least 3 months, with early dropout associated with higher initial depression and anxiety scores. Inconsistent urine drug tests (i.e., those positive for illicit/nonprescribed substances) were significantly more common at treatment initiation (74%) than during the most recent visit (43%, p < .001), and were associated with baseline substance and other mental health factors, as well as shorter treatment duration. Generalized estimating equations models suggested time-based improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms, especially for patients retained for at least 3 months., Conclusions: Integrating wraparound addiction treatment within a rural primary care setting is feasible and associated with improved mental health and retention outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
- Published
- 2019
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