Impact of an Education Module on the Knowledge and Attitudes of EM Physicians Towards Prescribing Buprenorphine/Naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder

Abstract

Background: Opioid overdose continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Buprenorphine is an important treatment for patients with opioid-use disorder (OUD) and initiation in the emergency department (ED) has been shown to improve outcomes for these patients. 

Purpose/hypothesis: Our objective was to assess the impact of a three-pronged education package on the knowledge and attitudes of emergency physicians towards using buprenorphine for treatment of OUD. 

Procedures/data/observations: We developed a three-pronged educational package including background rationale for OUD treatment with buprenorphine, an evidence-based ED buprenorphine induction pathway and electronic medical record tools. This package was deployed to providers in an urban academic ED. A voluntary confidential pre-post survey was administered. Using a 6-point Likert Scale, participants were asked about their understanding, experience, and confidence with prescribing.

Conclusions/applications: A one-hour, three-pronged educational package changed the attitudes of emergency physicians towards buprenorphine treatment and demonstrated an increase in willingness and confidence to prescribe it for patients with OUD. Our findings suggest that healthcare entities that wish to boost buprenorphine prescribing can impact willingness and confidence to prescribe with a short education package.