Initiating Medication-Assisted Therapy for OUD in Diverse Settings: Clinical Pearls for Navigating the Process

The opioid abuse epidemic has resulted in an alarming increase in opioid-related overdoses and deaths; however, the severe and lethal consequences of opioid misuse is preventable with the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which is a proven, effective tool for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD).

Research has demonstrated that MAT is effective in reducing opioid use and overdoses, increasing treatment retention, diminishing risky behaviors that contribute to the transmission of HIV and hepatitis C virus, and reducing morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, access to treatment is a major issue, with a number of factors - including stigma toward MAT and those receiving it, regulations and a lack of quality standards for treatment programs, an inadequate and unevenly distributed workforce, lack of confidence/knowledge and institutional support, and the belief that patients should be able to abstain without MAT - contributing to access.

This CME Outfitters Snack features expert faculty expanding on best practices for MAT initiation particularly in diverse care settings such as the VA system, criminal justice settings, hospitals, and outpatient clinics, by examining the neurobiology of opioid addiction and the efficacy of opioid agonists and antagonists in reducing illicit opioid use.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this CE activity, participants should be able to:

- Examine the neurobiology of opioid addiction relative to the efficacy of opioid agonists and antagonists in reducing illicit opioid use.
- Increase initiation of MAT for OUD by 25% by evaluating evidence to support its use and addressing barriers to its implementation.
- Incorporate best practices for the use of MAT for OUD in diverse care settings, including the VA system, criminal justice settings, hospitals, and outpatient clinics.

The following learning objectives pertain only to those requesting CNE or CPE credit:

- Examine the neurobiology of opioid addiction relative to the efficacy of opioid agonists and antagonists in reducing illicit opioid use.
- Describe the evidence to support initiation of MAT and barriers to its increased implementation.
- Summarize best practices for the use of MAT for OUD in diverse care settings, including the VA system, criminal justice settings, hospitals, and outpatient clinics.