The Authors’ Own Words: "One size does not fit all" and other lessons learned from grants for implementation of the AHRQ Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in rural primary care

Authors Parivash Nourjah, PhD and Elizabeth Kato, MD, MRP share lessons learned from five AHRQ grants to implement Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in rural primary care practices. Lessons learned were extracted from quarterly and annual grantee progress reports, minutes from quarterly virtual meetings, and minutes and notes from annual grantee in-person meetings.

“The evidence is clear that medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) save lives; however, there are currently not nearly enough providers in rural areas who are able and willing to offer MOUD to all the patients who need it. Understanding the barriers which prevent primary care practices from offering MOUD to their patients and how to overcome those barriers could save millions of lives. This commentary highlights valuable lessons learned from studies across five states that implemented MOUD in rural primary care practices. Sharing these lessons could help other implementers successfully expand the availability of MOUD by showing them how to anticipate and overcome barriers to MOUD in rural primary care practices.”

You can read this commentary in SAj Volume 42, Issue 2 or online.