A mixed-methods study of applied team integration for opioid use disorder treatment in rural settings

ABSTRACT The Opioid epidemic and the subsequent Opioid use disorders (OUD) stemming from this epidemic have devastated individuals, families, and communities. These impacts have an outsized effect on rural communities and are exacerbated by the discrepancy in best practice recommendations that call for a resource-intensive framework of integrated treatment options and the limited treatment resources found in rural communities. This pilot study explores data collected from several members (n=45) of an establishing ambulatory clinic-based treatment team (composed of medical, behavioral health, and administrative staff) from a network of five primary care sites, which were developed to address OUD in rural America Appalachia. Participants completed the Assessment for Collaborative Environments (ACE-15) and four open ended questions about team integration. The findings call for changes to OUD treatment from policy makers and providers, adaptations to higher education focus in social work, competency-based learning, a call for action in stigma reduction, and interagency collaboration.