Travis A Cos1, Laura E Starbird2, Heeyoung Lee3, Bianca Chun4, Kristine Gonnella4, Jillian Bird4, Kae Livsey5, Shelley Bastos6, Marie O'Brien7, Ivy Clark6, Darlene Jenkins8, Laureen Tavolaro-Ryley9. 1. Public Health Management Corporation, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: travis.cos@gmail.com. 2. Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York. 3. University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA. 4. National Nurse-Led Care Consortium, Philadelphia, PA. 5. Western Carolina University, School of Nursing, Cullowhee, North Carolina. 6. Member of the Patient Community, Philadelphia, PA. 7. Mather Hospital, Port Jefferson, New York. 8. National Health Care for the Homeless, Nashville, Tennessee. 9. Community College of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are increasingly caring for individuals with opioid use disorder. Advances have been made to increase APRN education, outreach, and prescribing privileges, but as demand for medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) grows, evidence suggests that policy and care barriers inhibit the ability of APRNs to support MOUD. PURPOSE: This paper highlights the significant challenges of expanding access to buprenorphine prescribing by APRNs. RESULTS: Barriers and recommendations were derived from the culmination of literature review, expert consensus discussions among a diverse stakeholder panel including patient representatives, and feedback from community webinars with care providers. DISCUSSION: We provide an overview of existing care barriers, promising practices, and proposed recommendations to enhance the care of individuals and communities with opioid use disorder.
BACKGROUND: Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are increasingly caring for individuals with opioid use disorder. Advances have been made to increase APRN education, outreach, and prescribing privileges, but as demand for medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) grows, evidence suggests that policy and care barriers inhibit the ability of APRNs to support MOUD. PURPOSE: This paper highlights the significant challenges of expanding access to buprenorphine prescribing by APRNs. RESULTS: Barriers and recommendations were derived from the culmination of literature review, expert consensus discussions among a diverse stakeholder panel including patient representatives, and feedback from community webinars with care providers. DISCUSSION: We provide an overview of existing care barriers, promising practices, and proposed recommendations to enhance the care of individuals and communities with opioid use disorder.