Implementing Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Primary Care: Environmental Scan | AHRQ Academy

Implementing Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Primary Care: Environmental Scan | AHRQ Academy

Report Reviews Medication Strategies for Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Settings

A new AHRQ report examines factors that may limit patients’ access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder in rural primary care settings. MAT, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, is intended to support a “whole-patient” approach to treating substance use disorders. The report, Implementing Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Primary Care:  Environmental Scan, explores the availability of tools to implement MAT as well as potential barriers to patient access, including stigma, logistical challenges, financing and policy concerns. Also included in the report are three models of care and nearly 250 tools and resources to help providers, patients and communities implement MAT in rural areas.