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 language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-4 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1 2021 |
Keywords
- COVID-19
- medications for addiction treatment
- opioid use disorder
- policy
- regulatory
- telehealth
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nurse Assisting