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Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis.

Primary Care Providers' Experiences Treating Opioid Use Disorder Using Telehealth in the Height of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Presents a study of the experiences of primary care providers who used telehealth for opioid use disorder treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Draws on the insights of participants from rural and urban counties in Kentucky and Arkansas and compares the experiences of rural and urban providers.
Author(s): Sarah Alexandra Marshall, Lachan E. Siebenmorgen, Nickolas Zaller, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 15
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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Implementing Harm Reduction Initiatives in Rural Communities
Webinar recording discusses substance use harm reduction, such as safe syringe services. Features a discussion of Project Hope in Menominee, WI and highlights it's successes and challenges in establishing community buy-in and financial sustainability, among other topics.
Additional links: Webinar Slides
Author(s): Eric Atkinson
Date: 04/2024
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Mountain Plains Addiction Technology Transfer Center (Mountain Plains ATTC)
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Changes in Buprenorphine Prescribing in Community Health Centers
Analyzes changes from 2016 to 2021 in prescriptions of buprenorphine in Community Health Centers (CHCs) to treat opioid addiction. Utilizes data from the OCHIN Inc network of CHCs to analyze patient and clinic/clinician characteristics, including rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Daniel M. Hartung, Robert W. Voss, Steffani R. Bailey, Nathalie Huguet, John Muench
Citation: JAMA Health Forum, 5(4)
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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Evaluating a Web-Based Training Curriculum for Disseminating Best Practices for the Care of Newborns with Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome in a Rural Hospital, the NOWS-NM Program
Evaluates the NOWS-NM program, a web-based training program for care of newborns with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) in rural New Mexico hospitals. Describes results of interviews with 16 providers on their experiences with NOWS and attitudes toward local NOWS treatment. Discusses stigma reduction and knowledge of non-pharmacologic NOWS treatment.
Author(s): Heather Pratt-Chavez, Heidi Rishel Brakey, Sarah G. Sanders, et al.
Citation: BMC Pediatrics, 24, 258
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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Exploring the Demographic and Professional Characteristics of Physicians and Nurse Practitioners Associated With Providing Medication-Assisted Treatment: A Retrospective Observational Study
Examines the factors that impact the likelihood of primary care physicians and nurse practitioners providing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. Utilizes license renewal data to observe MAT treatment by primary care providers, with breakdowns according to age group, sex, race, medical specialty and setting, Medicaid and/or sliding fee use, and rurality.
Author(s): Hannah L. Maxey, Sierra X. Vaughn, Analise Dickinson, Robin Newhouse
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Evidence-Based, Whole-Person Care for Pregnant People Who Have Opioid Use Disorder
Report presents care recommendations for treatment of opioid use disorder during pregnancy. Discusses the risks of opioid use during and after pregnancy and explores factors to consider when treating pregnant people. Highlights barriers for rural patients.
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Opioid Utilization Dashboard
Interactive map details Medicare beneficiaries using opioids, medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and potentially dangerous combinations of other drugs with opioids by state with county-level data.
Date: 03/2024
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Quality Improvement Organization Program
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Effects of the Communities that Heal (CTH) Intervention on Perceived Opioid-Related Community Stigma in the HEALing Communities Study: Results of a Multi-Site, Community-Level, Cluster-Randomized Trial
Examines levels of community stigma toward naloxone use, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and people treated for opioid use disorder (OUD), as related to different periods during the Communities that Heal (CTH) intervention. Analyzes survey data from 66 communities across 4 states by rural-urban status regarding their perceptions of OUD. Discusses implications of the intervention for rural communities addressing OUD and stigma.
Author(s): Alissa Davis, Hannah K. Knudsen, Daniel M. Walker, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, 32
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Rural Communities Opioids Response Program (RCORP)
Highlights a review of the RCORP-TA program. Features a number of reports and briefs exploring the efficacy and perception of the technical assistance provided RCORP grantees from March, 2022 to September, 2023 by the RCORP-TA program.
Date: 02/2024
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Perspectives on APRN Prescribing of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: Key Barriers Remain
Interviewed 76 healthcare and industry workers across 4 states to identify themes related to nurse practitioner (NP) scope of practice regulations for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Topics covered include access to care, rural needs, psychiatric NPs, and the nursing model of care. Discusses policy measures and other barriers to offering care.
Author(s): Susan A. Chapman, Leah Fraimow-Wong, Bethany J. Phoenix, Matthew Tierney, Joanne Spetz
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 157, 209215
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:


Last Updated: 5/8/2024