talking points.

Problem

The underuse of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The efficacy of MAT has been proven time and time again and yet it is still underused.

How do we know this is a problem or issue?

“87 % of US counties were classified as having a pharmacotherapy program shortage” (Kameg & Mitchell, 2020).

“The majority of APRN curricula offer less than eight hours of even general substance abuse education” (Kameg & Mitchell, 2020).

Who needs the information about the problem or issue?

Educators, lawmakers, APRNs, physicians assistants, and medical doctors who employ APRNs.

What are possible solutions?

The goal would be to equip more APRNs with the ability to prescribe medications for MAT to combat OUD. Doing so would require that we make the licensing more accessible with less requirements. “Eliminating the twenty four hour training through PCSS that is required of nurse practitioners and physicians assistants to obtain buprenorhine” (Kameg & Mitchell, 2020).

Educating APRNs on the importance and efficacy of MAT could also be beneficial.

How will dissemination of this researched information impact behavior?

If more APRNs and physicians assistants were able to prescribe buprenorphine, it’s rural use would increase by 15.2%

Kameg, B. N., & Mitchell, A. (2020). Technology-based educational approaches to address opioid use management by advanced practice registered nurses. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 1-6. doi:10.1080/01612840.2020.1749917