34th AM (2023) - Poster Session-The Role of MOUD Trained Counselors in Effectively Treating OUD

The Role of MOUD Trained Counselors in Effectively Treating OUD

Pdf Summary

Access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is limited despite its effectiveness in reducing opioid use and preventing overdose deaths. One barrier to access is the lack of training and discomfort among addiction treatment counselors in discussing MOUD with their patients. To address this issue, an educational intervention was implemented to enhance counselors' knowledge and confidence in discussing MOUD. <br /><br />A preliminary survey revealed that counselors lacked knowledge and comfort in discussing MOUD with patients. Based on these results, an educational didactic was developed and given to addiction counselors. Pre- and post-didactic tests were used to evaluate the impact of the intervention on counselors' knowledge and comfort level.<br /><br />The results showed a significant improvement in counselors' knowledge and comfort in discussing MOUD with patients after the educational intervention. This suggests that providing appropriate training to addiction treatment counselors can increase patient access to MOUD.<br /><br />Expanding access to MOUD can benefit patients with opioid use disorder by reducing illicit opioid use, overdose rates, and potentially overall mortality and hospital admissions. Moreover, by improving counselors' knowledge and comfort in discussing MOUD, healthcare disparities related to opioid use disorder can be alleviated. Historically oppressed racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender groups are at higher risk for opioid use disorder but are less likely to receive specialized addiction treatment, including MOUD. By educating addiction counselors on MOUD, they can serve as crucial links between patients and specialized addiction treatment for disadvantaged populations.<br /><br />Further research is needed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of this educational intervention by analyzing MOUD treatment rates and outcomes before and after the intervention. Incorporating didactic training on MOUD into addiction counselor training can further enhance patient access to this life-saving treatment.

Keywords

medication

opioid use disorder

MOUD

access

effectiveness

training

educational intervention

knowledge

comfort

patient access

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