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VIReC Using Data and Information Systems in Partnered Research

Increasing Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment in VISN 22: Using VA Data to Guide Implementation


by Evelyn Chang, MD, MSHS ; Rebecca Oberman, MSW, MPH ; Adam Resnick, MPH ; Shawn Toy, PharmD
Seminar date: 7/21/2020

Description: Evidence-based therapies for opioid use disorder (OUD) and chronic pain such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and complementary and integrative health (CIH; e.g., acupuncture and meditation) therapies exist. However, their adoption has been slow, particularly in primary care, due to numerous implementation challenges. VISN 22 partnered with researchers on an initiative to increase access to MAT and CIH among patients with OUD with the goal of decreasing opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Using an evidence-based quality improvement (EBQI) implementation strategy to engage primary care to promote use of MAT and CIH for patients with OUD, we aimed to pilot how effectively EBQI could engage primary care providers in facilitating MAT and CIH delivery to patients with OUD. We used VA data from the Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) and available Academic Detailing dashboards to track changes in access and availability of MAT and CIH at our pilot sites. Objectives: • Describe components of Evidence-Based Quality Improvement (EBQI) as an implementation strategy • Describe the use of VA data to support implementation • Describe implementation challenges to increasing access to MAT and CIH and lessons learned



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