Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
3-31-2023
Abstract
Background:
People with Opioid Use Disorder (PWOUD) represent an underserved and marginalized population. Low-barrier programs like mobile care units and street outreach programs have yielded increased access to buprenorphine and social services, however OUD pertinent co-occurring behavioral health and medical conditions are frequently left unaddressed. A novel, tailored, comprehensive care delivery model may reduce disparities and improve access to care across a range of pathologies in this historically difficult to reach population and enhance efforts to provide universal treatment access.
Methods:
Descriptive data was collected and analyzed regarding patient demographics, retention in treatment and services rendered at a new, wrap-around, low-barrier buprenorphine clinic established at an existing harm reduction site in New Mexico between August 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021.
Results:
203 people used any service at the newly implemented program, 137 of whom specifically obtained medical and/or behavioral health care services including prescriptions for buprenorphine at least once from the physician onsite. Thirty-seven unique medical and psychiatric conditions were treated, representing a total of 565 separate encounters. The most common service utilized was buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (81%), followed by treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (62%), anxiety (44.5%) and depression (40.9%). Retention in buprenorphine treatment was 31.5% at 6 months.
Conclusions:
An innovative, multidisciplinary, buprenorphine-centric care model, which targets a wide range of OUD pertinent pathologies while employing a harm reduction approach, can enhance utilization of these services among an underserved PWOUD population in a manner which moves our health system toward universal OUD treatment access.
Recommended Citation
Gadomski, Richard; Snehal Bhatt; Jessica Gross; Tony Dixon; Phillip Fiuty; Max Sharpiro; Rafael Fernandez-Manacha; and Julie Salvador. "Striving Towards Universal Treatment: The Novel "Full Spectrum People-With-Opioid-Use-Disorder Care Model"." (2023). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hsc-bbhrd/89
Comments
Poster presented at the Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day 2023