Opioid use disorder and COVID-19: Implications for policy and practice

Michaela Mitchell, Kameron Shee, Kelly Champlin, Alison C. Essary, Matthew Evans

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Preliminary data suggest that opioid-related overdose deaths have increased subsequent to COVID-19. Despite national support for expanding the role of physician assistants (PAs) and NPs in serving patients with opioid use disorder, these clinicians are held to complex and stringent regulatory barriers. COVID-19 triggered significant changes from regulatory and federal agencies, yet disparate policies and regulations persist between physicians and PAs and NPs. The dual epidemics of COVID-19 and opioid use disorder highlight the inadequate infrastructure required to support patients, communities, and clinicians, and may serve as the catalyst for eliminating barriers to care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-4
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants
Volume34
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2021

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • medications for addiction treatment
  • opioid use disorder
  • policy
  • regulatory
  • telehealth

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nurse Assisting

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Opioid use disorder and COVID-19: Implications for policy and practice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this