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Searby A, Burr D, Blums C, Harrison J, Smyth D. Exploring a pilot alcohol and other drug (AOD) nurse practitioner mentoring program: Empirical research mixed methods: A pilot nurse practitioner mentoring program. Nurs Open 2024; 11:e2250. [PMID: 39126170 PMCID: PMC11315737 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.2250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM To explore the effectiveness and acceptability of a pilot mentoring program for alcohol and other drug (AOD) nurse practitioners (also known globally as addiction nurse practitioners). DESIGN Mixed method evaluation. METHODS Two-phase evaluation comprising survey (demographics, pre- and post-program perceived competency and confidence) with 15 participants completing the pre survey and 10 participants completing the post survey, and qualitative interviews after the program with 10 participants. RESULTS The quantitative results indicate statistically significant increases in some domains of perceived competence and confidence in treatment. Qualitative findings indicate that participants valued peer support and mentoring from experienced nurse practitioners. Where formal residency or internship programs for nurse practitioners do not exist, informal mentoring programs may address issues inherent in nurse practitioner transition that may impact retention. We recommend further exploration of mentoring programs with larger sample sizes to determine if self-reported clinical improvements are noted. IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE Nurse practitioners are a vital part of the healthcare system; their advanced skills and knowledge place them in an ideal position to address prescriber shortages and access to care for populations underserved by healthcare. However, literature indicates that they are often underutilised, and transition to autonomous practice remains a challenge. Our exploration of a pilot mentoring program for nurse practitioners shows that their knowledge and perceived skills are high, yet peer assistance is valued in transitioning from advanced practice registered nurse to autonomous nurse practitioner. We recommend further trialling and evaluation of nurse practitioner mentoring programs to both increase supply of nurse practitioners and provide greater access to quality healthcare for underserved populations. IMPACT What problem did the study address? The ability of nurse practitioners to offer advanced practice interventions such as diagnosis and medication management potentially provides a solution to healthcare resource shortages. However, current literature indicates that advanced nurses transitioning to nurse practitioner roles suffer transition shock, leading to burnout and poor retention. What were the main findings? Although this pilot mentoring program shows significant improvements in survey responses on confidence and capability, qualitative data shows that neophyte nurse practitioners value peer support and mentoring from more experienced practitioners. Participants described maintaining ongoing connections with both mentors and fellow mentees, which aided transition to the role of autonomous nurse practitioner. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The results of this pilot mentoring program indicate that there is benefit to these programs for neophyte nurse practitioners in many specialties. This paper indicates that mentoring programs for nurse practitioners may provide a community of practice and may have a positive impact on transition shock. REPORTING METHOD Good Reporting of a Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION No patient or public contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Searby
- Monash University School of Nursing and MidwiferyClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia (DANA)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Dianna Burr
- Monash University School of Nursing and MidwiferyClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Colleen Blums
- Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia (DANA)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Jason Harrison
- Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia (DANA)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- Central Queensland Mental HealthAlcohol and Other Drug ServiceRockhamptonQueenslandAustralia
| | - Darren Smyth
- Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia (DANA)BrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN)Gold CoastQueenslandAustralia
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Cheetham A, Grist E, Nielsen S. Pharmacist-prescriber collaborative models of care for opioid use disorder: an overview of recent research. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2024; 37:251-257. [PMID: 38726819 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Collaborative models of care where pharmacists work alongside physicians have been developed for a range of physical health conditions, with benefits including improved patient outcomes and increased access to ongoing care. Opioid agonist treatment (methadone and buprenorphine) is a clinically effective and cost-effective treatment for opioid use disorder that is under-utilized in many countries due to a shortage of prescribers. In recent years, there has been increased interest in the development of collaborative models that utilize pharmacists to overcome barriers to treatment. In this article, we present a narrative review to synthesise recent work in this rapidly developing area. RECENT FINDINGS Two key aspects of opioid agonist treatment were identified: Collaborative models have utilized pharmacists to facilitate buprenorphine induction, and collaborative models provide increased capacity for delivering ongoing care in a variety of settings and patient groups where prescriber access is limited. Pharmacists have undertaken direct patient care responsibilities with varying degrees of autonomy, with benefits including a reduction in prescriber workload, and improvements in treatment retention and continuity of care. SUMMARY Collaborative models in which pharmacists are responsible for buprenorphine induction and ongoing management with methadone and buprenorphine have been shown to reduce demands on prescribers while improving or maintaining patient outcomes, and appear feasible and acceptable in a wide range of outpatient settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Cheetham
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University Peninsula Campus, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
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Grist E, Cheetham A, Jackson J, Wood P, Lord S, Pricolo A, Armstrong F, Morgan K, Nguyen C, Tran T, Nielsen S. Clinical effectiveness of pharmacist administration of long-acting injectable buprenorphine: Findings from the EPIC-MATOD study. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024. [PMID: 38699894 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Grist
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University Peninsula Campus, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ali Cheetham
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University Peninsula Campus, Melbourne, Australia
| | - John Jackson
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Pene Wood
- College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia
- Wathaurong Aboriginal Health Service, Melbourne, Australia
- IPC Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sarah Lord
- Pharmacotherapy Advocacy Meditation and Support Service, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Kirsty Morgan
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University Peninsula Campus, Melbourne, Australia
- Peninsula Health, Frankston, Australia
| | | | - Tom Tran
- Daffey's Pharmacy, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University Peninsula Campus, Melbourne, Australia
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Hall NY, Le L, Abimanyi-Ochom J, Teesson M, Mihalopoulos C. Identifying the most common barriers to opioid agonist treatment in an Australian setting. Aust J Prim Health 2023; 29:445-454. [PMID: 36934460 DOI: 10.1071/py22269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid use disorder is a public health concern in Australia. Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is effective at treating and minimising harm from opioid use disorder, yet is underused in Australia due to client barriers. Although these barriers have been reported, the barriers that are most important to clients is unclear. The aim of this paper was to determine the most important OAT barriers to Australian clients. METHODS A cross-sectional, self-completed survey was given to 204 opioid-dependent clients who attended needle and syringe sites in Australia. Participants were given 15 OAT barrier statements, which they answered using a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=neutral, 4=agree and 5=strongly agree). The Likert scale data are presented using the count method and the mean Likert scores (for the whole sample and for subgroups). RESULTS The two methods determined that the four most important barriers to OAT were stigma, lack of support services, no flexibility and enjoy using opioids. Furthermore, those who used prescription opioids (compared with heroin) were female or non-binary (compared with male), were not currently using OAT (compared with current OAT), were younger (compared with older) and had high dependence scores (compared with low dependence scores) were impacted more by certain OAT barriers. CONCLUSIONS Policies around improving support services, reducing stigma and increasing flexibility would be beneficial to reduce barriers to OAT in Australia. Second, certain groups were more vulnerable to OAT barriers, emphasising the importance to better tailor opioid treatment programs to these specific populations to increase treatment engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Yvonne Hall
- School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, Vic., Australia
| | - Long Le
- Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Julie Abimanyi-Ochom
- School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, Vic., Australia
| | - Maree Teesson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Cathy Mihalopoulos
- Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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Schaffer AL, Gisev N, Blyth FM, Buckley NA, Currow D, Dobbins TA, Wilson A, Degenhardt L, Pearson S. Opioid prescribing patterns among medical practitioners in New South Wales, Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2023; 42:1472-1481. [PMID: 37159416 PMCID: PMC10946566 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prescriber behaviour is important for understanding opioid use patterns. We described variations in practitioner-level opioid prescribing in New South Wales, Australia (2013-2018). METHODS We quantified opioid prescribing patterns among medical practitioners using population-level dispensing claims data, and used partitioning around medoids to identify clusters of practitioners who prescribe opioids based on prescribing patterns and patient characteristics identified from linked dispensing claims, hospitalisations and mortality data. RESULTS The number of opioid prescribers ranged from 20,179 in 2013 to 23,408 in 2018. The top 1% of practitioners prescribed 15% of all oral morphine equivalent (OME) milligrams dispensed annually, with a median of 1382 OME grams (interquartile range [IQR], 1234-1654) per practitioner; the bottom 50% prescribed 1% of OMEs dispensed, with a median of 0.9 OME grams (IQR 0.2-2.6). Based on 63.6% of practitioners with ≥10 patients filling opioid prescriptions in 2018, we identified four distinct practitioner clusters. The largest cluster prescribed multiple analgesic medicines for older patients (23.7% of practitioners) accounted for 76.7% of all OMEs dispensed and comprised 93.0% of the top 1% of practitioners by opioid volume dispensed. The cluster prescribing analgesics for younger patients with high rates of surgery (18.7% of practitioners) prescribed only 1.6% of OMEs. The remaining two clusters comprised 21.2% of prescribers and 20.9% of OMEs dispensed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION We observed substantial variation in opioid prescribing among practitioners, clustered around four general patterns. We did not assess appropriateness but some prescribing patterns are concerning. Our findings provide insights for targeted interventions to curb potentially harmful practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L. Schaffer
- School of Population HealthFaculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Natasa Gisev
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Fiona M. Blyth
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Nicholas A. Buckley
- Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - David Currow
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and HealthUniversity of WollongongWollongongAustralia
| | - Timothy A. Dobbins
- School of Population HealthFaculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Andrew Wilson
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Sallie‐Anne Pearson
- School of Population HealthFaculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
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Nguyen DB, Nguyen TT, Lin C, Dinh TTT, Le GM, Li L. Challenges of methadone maintenance treatment decentralisation from Vietnamese primary care providers' perspectives. Drug Alcohol Rev 2023; 42:803-814. [PMID: 36851865 PMCID: PMC10191884 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Decentralising methadone maintenance treatment to primary care improves patients' access to care and their drug and HIV treatment outcomes. However, primary care providers (PCP), especially those working in limited-resource settings, are facing great challenges to provide quality methadone treatment. This study explores the challenges perceived by PCP providing methadone treatment at commune health centres in a mountainous region in Vietnam. METHOD We conducted in-depth interviews with 26 PCP who worked as program managers, physicians, counsellors, pharmacists and medication dispensing staff at the methadone programs of eight commune health centres in Dien Bien, Vietnam, in November and December 2019. We used the health-care system framework in developing the interview guides and in summarising data themes. RESULTS Participants identified major challenges in providing methadone treatment in commune health centres at the individual, clinic and environmental levels. Individual-level challenges included a lack of confidence and motivation in providing methadone treatment. Clinic-level factors included inadequate human resources, lack of institutional support, insufficient technical support, lack of referral resources and additional support for patients. Environment-level factors comprised a lack of reasonable policies on financial support for providers at commune health centres for providing methadone treatment, lack of regulations and mechanisms to ensure providers' safety in case of potential violence by patients and to share responsibility for overdose during treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION PCP in Vietnam faced multi-level challenges in providing quality methadone treatment. Supportive policies and additional resources are needed to ensure the effectiveness of the decentralisation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diep Bich Nguyen
- Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Trang Thu Nguyen
- Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Chunqing Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Thuy Thi Thanh Dinh
- Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Giang Minh Le
- Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Li Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
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Cheetham A, Morgan K, Jackson J, Lord S, Nielsen S. Informing a collaborative-care model for delivering medication assisted treatment for opioid dependence (MATOD): An analysis of pharmacist, prescriber and patient perceptions. Res Social Adm Pharm 2023; 19:526-534. [PMID: 36216753 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Demand for medication assisted treatment for opioid dependence (MATOD) in Australia exceeds capacity, particularly in rural and regional areas. There is increasing recognition that community pharmacists are well-positioned to take on expanded roles in MATOD delivery, however there has been limited Australian research exploring attitudes of pharmacists, prescribers, and patients to collaborative models of care. OBJECTIVE(S) This study aimed to better understand enablers and barriers to a collaborative model for MATOD, to inform implementation in regions where increases in treatment capacity are urgently needed. METHODS Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with pharmacists (n = 11), prescribers (n = 6), and patients (n = 8) recruited from the Frankston-Mornington Peninsula region in Victoria, Australia, where transport and access to services have impacts on health care utilisation. The COM-B model was used to explore perceptions of pharmacists' capability, opportunity, and motivations for delivering collaborative care. RESULTS There was strong motivation among healthcare professionals to participate in a collaborative model of care, with the main perceived benefits including improvements in accessibility, convenience, and continuity of care, and leverage of pharmacists' high level of patient engagement. Key barriers identified by both pharmacists and prescribers included a perceived lack of pharmacist skills in some areas (capability) and resources (opportunity) to deliver collaborative care in a community pharmacy setting. Established relationships between all stakeholders (social opportunity) and communication between pharmacists and prescribers were identified as facilitators. Barriers and facilitators aligned with seven key areas: skills, confidence, relationships, patient selection, protocols, communication and resources. CONCLUSIONS Findings informed the development of a collaborative model that was individualised, protocol based, and supported by training and clear processes. PROJECT IMPACT This study identifies specific barriers and facilitators to a pharmacist-prescriber collaborative model of care for MATOD. The resulting model will be tested in a hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial in the Frankston-Mornington Peninsula region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Cheetham
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University Peninsula Campus, Frankston, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Kirsty Morgan
- Frankston Mornington Peninsula Primary Care Partnership, Peninsula Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Jackson
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS), Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Lord
- Pharmacotherapy Mediation, Advocacy, and Support (PAMS), Harm Reduction Victoria, Australia
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University Peninsula Campus, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
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8
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Curtis M, Dietze P, Wilkinson AL, Agius PA, Stewart AC, Cossar RD, Butler T, Walker S, Kirwan A, Winter RJ, Stoové M. Discontinuation of opioid agonist treatment following release from prison in a cohort of men who injected drugs prior to imprisonment in Victoria, Australia: A discrete-time survival analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 242:109730. [PMID: 36516552 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retention in opioid agonist treatment (OAT) following release from prison is associated with improved outcomes, however factors associated with post-release OAT discontinuation in Australia are poorly understood. We examined post-release OAT discontinuation in a cohort of men who engaged in approximately monthly injecting drug use (IDU) prior to imprisonment in Victoria, Australia. METHODS Longitudinal data were used to calculate incidence of first-event post-release OAT discontinuation among men released from prison receiving OAT, and single-event discrete-time survival methods were used to estimate associations with post-release OAT discontinuation. RESULTS Among 110 participants, 55 OAT discontinuations were observed in the two years post-release, an overall crude incidence rate (IR) of 46 per 100 person-years (PY) (95 % confidence interval [95 %CI]: 36-60 per 100PY). Incidence was greatest between release from prison and first follow-up (IR: 84 per 100PY, 95 %CI: 62-116 per 100PY). Initiating OAT during index imprisonment (versus transitioning from community OAT; adjusted hazard rate [AHR]: 2.17, 95 %CI: 1.14-4.13) and identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (AHR: 4.95, 95 %CI: 2.00-12.25) were associated with an increased hazard of OAT discontinuation. CONCLUSION In a cohort of men with recent histories of IDU released from prison receiving OAT, half reported OAT discontinuation within two years of release from prison, with incidence of discontinuation greatest soon after prison-release. Targeted support for men who initiate OAT during episodes of imprisonment and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples is necessary to reduce incidence of OAT discontinuation among people at greatest risk of discontinuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Curtis
- Disease Elimination Program, Public Health Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Monash Addition Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Paul Dietze
- Disease Elimination Program, Public Health Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Monash Addition Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Anna L Wilkinson
- Disease Elimination Program, Public Health Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul A Agius
- Disease Elimination Program, Public Health Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ashleigh C Stewart
- Disease Elimination Program, Public Health Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, VIC, Australia; Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Reece D Cossar
- Disease Elimination Program, Public Health Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tony Butler
- Justice Health Research Program, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shelley Walker
- Disease Elimination Program, Public Health Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Amy Kirwan
- Disease Elimination Program, Public Health Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Winter
- Disease Elimination Program, Public Health Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Public Health Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
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Jones NR, Hickman M, Nielsen S, Larney S, Dobbins T, Ali R, Degenhardt L. The impact of opioid agonist treatment on fatal and non-fatal drug overdose among people with a history of opioid dependence in NSW, Australia, 2001-2018: Findings from the OATS retrospective linkage study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 236:109464. [PMID: 35523111 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are critical periods of mortality risk at onset and cessation of opioid agonist treatment. We aim to determine whether non-fatal overdose followed the same pattern as fatal overdose, comparing the first 4 weeks of treatment and treatment cessation and the remainder time off treatment, with the remainder treatment time, to determine intervention markers. METHODS Retrospective cohort study of people with a history of opioid agonist treatment using linked New South Wales data. The incidence of non-fatal overdose hospitalization; emergency department presentation; and fatal overdose from national death records were compared. Rates were calculated using generalized estimating equations adjusting for demographics, year, and recent health and incarceration events. RESULTS The remainder time in OAT had the lowest incidence of overdose for all outcomes and is the reference level for the adjusted incident rate ratios (aIRR). Fatal overdose was lowest in treatment and highest in the first four weeks out of treatment, aIRR of 12.83 (95% CI 10.0-16.4). Whereas the highest overdose rate for non-fatal opioid overdose was in the first four weeks in treatment, aIRR of 3.11 (95% CI 2.19-4.42). CONCLUSIONS Retention on opioid agonist treatment is protective against drug related overdose. There is elevated risk of non-fatal overdose at treatment initiation that is not evident for fatal overdose, but the first month of treatment cessation is a critical period for both non-fatal and fatal overdose. These findings emphasize the importance of treatment retention and interventions for polysubstance overdose at cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola R Jones
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS2 8DZ, UK
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre and Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sarah Larney
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal and Centre de Recherche du, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Canada
| | - Timothy Dobbins
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Robert Ali
- School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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Wilson H, Schulz M, Rodgers C, Lintzeris N, Hall JJ, Harris-Roxas B. What do general practitioners want from specialist alcohol and other drug services? A qualitative study of New South Wales metropolitan general practitioners. Drug Alcohol Rev 2022; 41:1152-1160. [PMID: 35353935 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alcohol and other drug (AOD) use is common in Australia with significant health and community impacts. General practitioners (GP) often see people with AOD use; however, there is little research to understand how specialist AOD services could assist GPs in the management of patients with AOD issues. METHODS Thirty-five GPs working in general practice in a metropolitan area in Sydney in New South Wales, Australia, participated in one of three focus groups. The groups were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. RESULTS The five themes raised by participants were: GP personal agency and interest in AOD issues; GP education and training gaps; improving pathways between GP and specialist AOD services; easier access to AOD specialist advice; and improving access to collaborative care for patients with complex AOD presentations. Participants requested education on screening, assessing, managing AOD issues, focused on alcohol, stimulants and high-risk prescription medicines. They suggested better referral processes, discharge summaries and care planning for complex presentations. Participants wanted easy access to specialist advice and suggested collaborative care assisted by experienced AOD liaison nurses. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Australia has several existing programs; online referral pathways and specialist phone advice, that address some of the issues raised. Unfortunately, many participants were not aware of these. GP education must be supported by multiple processes, including durable referral pathways, ready access to local specialist advice, clear communication (including patient attendance and a treatment plan), care planning and written summaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hester Wilson
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South East Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.,School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michelle Schulz
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South East Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Craig Rodgers
- Alcohol and Drug Services, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicholas Lintzeris
- Drug and Alcohol Services, South East Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.,School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Addiction Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,NSW Drug and Alcohol Clinical Research and Improvement Network, NSW Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - John J Hall
- School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ben Harris-Roxas
- School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,NSW Drug and Alcohol Clinical Research and Improvement Network, NSW Health, Sydney, Australia.,Population and Community Health, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
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Nielsen S, Cheetham A, Jackson J, Lord S, Petrie D, Jacka D, Picco L, Morgan K. A prospective, multisite implementation-efficacy trial of a collaborative prescriber-pharmacist model of care for Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence: Protocol for the EPIC-MATOD study. Res Social Adm Pharm 2021; 18:3394-3401. [PMID: 34924314 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD) is clinically effective and cost effective, yet a lack of MATOD prescribers in the community limits access to this treatment in Australia. These shortages are often greatest in regional and rural areas. OBJECTIVE(S) The Enhancing Pharmacist Involvement in Care (EPIC)-MATOD study will evaluate clinical and implementation outcomes among people with opioid dependence receiving MATOD through a collaborative pharmacist-prescriber model of care across multiple sites in a regional location (encompassing a mix of metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas) of Victoria, Australia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The EPIC-MATOD study is a prospective, multisite, implementation trial of collaborative MATOD care. Pharmacists and prescribers will be recruited through the local network of opioid pharmacotherapy providers. Patients will be recruited through participating healthcare providers. After induction into the collaborative care model, patients and healthcare professionals will be followed up over 6- (patients) and 12-months (pharmacists and prescribers) in a hybrid implementation-efficacy study, with outcomes mapped to the RE-AIM framework. The primary clinical efficacy endpoint is patient retention in treatment at 26 weeks. The primary implementation outcome is treatment capacity, based on prescriber time required to provide treatment through collaborative care compared with traditional care. Secondary clinical endpoints include attendance for dosing and clinical reviews, substance use, mental and physical health and overall well-being. Implementation costs, acceptability, and provider engagement in collaborative care will be used as secondary implementation outcome indicators. Time and costs associated with collaborative care, and health service utilisation, will also be estimated. PROJECT IMPACT The study will provide important information on outcomes and acceptability of collaborative care for MATOD, as well as the cost and key considerations in delivering a collaborative model of care in Australia and other countries where similar treatment barriers exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University Peninsula Campus, Frankston, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Ali Cheetham
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University Peninsula Campus, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Jackson
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS), Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Lord
- Pharmacotherapy Mediation, Advocacy, and Support (PAMS), Harm Reduction Victoria, Australia
| | - Dennis Petrie
- Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Caulfield East, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Jacka
- Monash Health Drug and Alcohol Service, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Louisa Picco
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University Peninsula Campus, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kirsty Morgan
- Frankston Mornington Peninsula Primary Care Partnership, Peninsula Health, Australia
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Bharat C, Larney S, Barbieri S, Dobbins T, Jones NR, Hickman M, Gisev N, Ali R, Degenhardt L. The effect of person, treatment and prescriber characteristics on retention in opioid agonist treatment: a 15-year retrospective cohort study. Addiction 2021; 116:3139-3152. [PMID: 33979008 DOI: 10.1111/add.15514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is limited evidence on the relationship between retention in opioid agonist treatment for opioid dependence and characteristics of treatment prescribers. This study estimated retention in buprenorphine and methadone treatment and its relationship with person, treatment and prescriber characteristics. DESIGN Retrospective longitudinal study. SETTING New South Wales, Australia. PARTICIPANTS People entering the opioid agonist treatment programme for the first time between August 2001 and December 2015. MEASUREMENTS Time in opioid agonist treatment (primary outcome) was modelled using a generalized estimating equation model to estimate associations with person, treatment and prescriber characteristics. FINDINGS The impact of medication type on opioid agonist treatment retention reduced over time; the risk of leaving treatment when on buprenorphine compared with methadone was higher among those who entered treatment earlier [e.g. 2001-03: odds ratio (OR) = 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.45-1.75] and lowest among those who entered most recently (2013-15: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.11-1.36). In adjusted analyses, risk of leaving was reduced among people whose prescriber had longer tenure of prescribing (e.g. 3 versus 8 years: OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.93-0.95) compared with prescribers with shorter tenure. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, being of younger age, past-year psychosis disorder and having been convicted of more criminal charges in the year prior to treatment entry were associated with increased risk of leaving treatment. CONCLUSION In New South Wales, Australia, retention in buprenorphine treatment for opioid dependence, compared with methadone, has improved over time since its introduction in 2001. Opioid agonist treatment retention is affected not only by characteristics of the person and his or her treatment, but also of the prescriber, with those of longer prescribing tenure associated with increased retention of people in opioid agonist treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrianna Bharat
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah Larney
- Université de Montréal and Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Timothy Dobbins
- School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicola R Jones
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Natasa Gisev
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert Ali
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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