HSE-6 Peer Support Treatment Model for Opioid Use Disorder
Abstract
Abstract - Opioid use disorder (OUD) poses a persistent and prevalent public health challenge, necessitating innovative approaches to enhance treatment outcomes and access to care. Previous research highlights the importance of social network support and person-centered care suggesting that peer support services are crucial for improving engagement and retention in care (Andraka-Christou et al., 2020; Gormley et al., 2021; Harris et al., 2022; Kumar et al., 2021). This study evaluates the effectiveness of a peer support-focused medication-assisted treatment (MAT) model implemented at a satellite outreach clinic, an extension of the county drug and alcohol agency in South Carolina. The clinic, operating in the afternoons from within a soup kitchen, responds to the area's identification as a hotspot for opioid-related overdoses. The outreach clinic operates within a community lacking extensive social support resources, where the soup kitchen serves as a vital hub for public assistance. The partnership between the outreach clinic and the soup kitchen is symbiotic, providing individuals with a dedicated team who deeply care for those marginalized by opioid use disorder.
The outreach clinic adopts a novel approach to address treatment barriers such as transportation and other resource challenges, with assertive engagement recognized as pivotal in accessing and retaining services. This approach diverges from the main agency MAT model, which emphasizes intensive clinical professional counseling-based treatment. To evaluate efficacy, a comparative study is proposed, assessing participant outcomes through surveys administered at both clinics. The anticipated sample size comprises 30 participants at the outreach site and 50 at the agency’s main site. In addition to the potential for statistically significant results, clinical findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the program's effectiveness by examining the participants' experiences and observed changes. Participants will be compensated for survey completion, focusing on various factors such as duration of clinic engagement, prior treatment experience, perceived helpfulness of services, reduction in illicit opiate use, and change in hopefulness.
Preliminary findings suggest promising outcomes at the satellite outreach clinic, including reductions in opioid use and improvements in overall well-being. The rapid growth of the outreach clinic underscores the prevalence of OUD in the community and the potential effectiveness of the model. This study offers potential benefits, including improved treatment outcomes, enhanced access to care, contribution to knowledge, and community impact. Further analysis is required to explore the long-term effectiveness and scalability of the satellite outreach clinic’s model in addressing the complex needs of individuals with OUD.
HSE-6 Peer Support Treatment Model for Opioid Use Disorder
University Readiness Center Greatroom
Abstract - Opioid use disorder (OUD) poses a persistent and prevalent public health challenge, necessitating innovative approaches to enhance treatment outcomes and access to care. Previous research highlights the importance of social network support and person-centered care suggesting that peer support services are crucial for improving engagement and retention in care (Andraka-Christou et al., 2020; Gormley et al., 2021; Harris et al., 2022; Kumar et al., 2021). This study evaluates the effectiveness of a peer support-focused medication-assisted treatment (MAT) model implemented at a satellite outreach clinic, an extension of the county drug and alcohol agency in South Carolina. The clinic, operating in the afternoons from within a soup kitchen, responds to the area's identification as a hotspot for opioid-related overdoses. The outreach clinic operates within a community lacking extensive social support resources, where the soup kitchen serves as a vital hub for public assistance. The partnership between the outreach clinic and the soup kitchen is symbiotic, providing individuals with a dedicated team who deeply care for those marginalized by opioid use disorder.
The outreach clinic adopts a novel approach to address treatment barriers such as transportation and other resource challenges, with assertive engagement recognized as pivotal in accessing and retaining services. This approach diverges from the main agency MAT model, which emphasizes intensive clinical professional counseling-based treatment. To evaluate efficacy, a comparative study is proposed, assessing participant outcomes through surveys administered at both clinics. The anticipated sample size comprises 30 participants at the outreach site and 50 at the agency’s main site. In addition to the potential for statistically significant results, clinical findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the program's effectiveness by examining the participants' experiences and observed changes. Participants will be compensated for survey completion, focusing on various factors such as duration of clinic engagement, prior treatment experience, perceived helpfulness of services, reduction in illicit opiate use, and change in hopefulness.
Preliminary findings suggest promising outcomes at the satellite outreach clinic, including reductions in opioid use and improvements in overall well-being. The rapid growth of the outreach clinic underscores the prevalence of OUD in the community and the potential effectiveness of the model. This study offers potential benefits, including improved treatment outcomes, enhanced access to care, contribution to knowledge, and community impact. Further analysis is required to explore the long-term effectiveness and scalability of the satellite outreach clinic’s model in addressing the complex needs of individuals with OUD.