Delivering opioid use disorder treatment among American Indian and Alaska Native adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: Facilitators and barriers to care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experienced a disproportionate increase in opioid-related fatal and non-fatal poisonings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to treatment, such as medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), became even more critical, although research among this population is limited. We completed qualitative interviews with substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers (i.e., MOUD prescribers, non-prescribing clinicians, non-clinical support staff) to assess the impact of COVID-19 on MOUD care among AI/AN adults.

Methods

Sixty-minute semi-structured interviews were completed with providers working in SUD treatment (N = 25). Eligible providers represented 6 programs serving rural Tribal and urban areas primarily in

SUBMITTER: Hirchak KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12465555 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature