U.S. student pharmacist perceptions of the pharmacist's role in methadone for opioid use disorder: A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Of the over 20 million Americans reporting an opioid use disorder, only around 3 million report receiving treatment of any kind. The gold standard for opioid use disorder treatment is medication in combination with psychosocial support, but despite robust evidence supporting treatment, barriers are substantial and include limited insurance coverage, patient beliefs, ease of access, regulatory hurdles, and stigma. Although trained as medication experts, U.S. pharmacists are not routinely involved in opioid use disorder treatment and may represent an underutilized care team member.

Objective

To explore U.S. pharmacy students' perspectives on pharmacists as providers of methadone-based medications for opioid use disorder treatment.

Methods

A qualitative design

SUBMITTER: Hohmeier KC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8182209 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature