Buprenorphine provider preferences to expanding harm reduction services in rural and suburban primary care settings: a short report.

INTRODUCTION

The opioid overdose crisis continues to worsen in suburban and rural regions. Expanding harm reduction approaches in primary care offers a patient-centered approach to reduce opioid overdoses.

METHODS

We conducted a semi-structured survey among 26 buprenorphine prescribers to assess acceptability of office-based harm reduction strategies for people who use opioids (PWUOs) and expanding partnerships with community stakeholders to ensure low-threshold access to buprenorphine.

RESULTS

Respondents were mostly very or somewhat supportive of providing HIV testing (96.2%), information on opioid overdose prevention (100%), safe syringe disposal (100%) and use (100%), and referrals to free HIV testing (100%), social services (100%), naloxone sales in community pharmacies (96.2%) and partnering with pharmacists to facilitate referrals for patients requesting buprenorphine treatment (84.6%). Suggested strategies for enhancing care for PWUOs included addressing insurance-related barriers (e.g., prior authorization requirements, insufficient reimbursements), lifting of limits on patients prescribed buprenorphine, allowing for safe-injection sites, lifting urine drug testing requirements, integrating social services and mental health providers within primary care, and expanding the use of telebuprenorphine services.

CONCLUSION

Findings from this study suggest strong buprenorphine provider support for adopting harm reduction strategies in primary care and collaborating with community pharmacists to facilitate referrals for PWUOs.