Collaborative consultation mentorship increases provider confidence to prescribe medications for opioid use disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a professional, peer-based mentorship program implemented from 2019 to 2023 to increase providers's confidence and capacity to prescribe medications for opioid use disorder (OUD).

DESIGN

The program was evaluated using baseline, endline, and follow-up -surveys.

SETTING

Arizona, United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifteen experienced medication-assisted treatment (MAT) providers were matched with 50 new MAT providers.

INTERVENTIONS: Experienced and less experienced MAT providers engaged in semistructured collaborations through virtual, one-to-one consultation sessions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Provider confidence, likelihood to prescribe buprenorphine, and long-term MAT service delivery.

RESULTS

New providers reported a 73 percent increase in confidence in delivering MAT services and a high likelihood of starting or increasing MAT service delivery. Follow-up data indicated sustained improvements in confidence and service delivery; 57 percent of new providers reported increasing the number of patients treated with MAT.

CONCLUSIONS

Semistructured, peer-based mentorship can increase provider confidence and sustained OUD treatment provision.