Barriers and facilitators to pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorders in primary care: results of a qualitative study in 4 va primary care clinics

Ej Ludman,Ka Bradley,D Berger,Ahs Harris,Ce Achtmeyer,Gt Lapham,Jp Young,Mb Siegel,Emily Williams,M Forehand,G Curran

doi:10.1186/1940-0640-10-s2-p12

Abstract

Background In the context of routine population-based alcohol screening to identify primary care (PC) patients who might benefit from brief intervention, many patients identified will have alcohol use disorders (AUD) [1] and will likely require more intensive treatments. FDA approved medications are recommended to treat AUD [2] and could be offered in PC. Currently, use of AUD medications is extremely rare. [3] This qualitative study sought to understand barriers and facilitators to prescribing AUD medications in PC.

Highlights

In the context of routine population-based alcohol screening to identify primary care (PC) patients who might benefit from brief intervention, many patients identified will have alcohol use disorders (AUD) [1] and will likely require more intensive treatments
More willing viewed prescribing for AUD as part of their role as a PC provider, framed medications as a potentially effective “tool” or “foot in the door” for treating AUD, and believed that providing AUD medications in PC may catalyze change while reducing stigma and other barriers to specialty addictions treatment. Those who were less willing believed that substantial programmatic changes would be needed to facilitate provision of AUD medications in PC, had less belief in the ability of “pills” to treat AUD, and believed AUD treatment was best left to specialty settings
Some participating providers were more willing than others to consider prescribing AUD medications

Summary

Introduction

In the context of routine population-based alcohol screening to identify primary care (PC) patients who might benefit from brief intervention, many patients identified will have alcohol use disorders (AUD) [1] and will likely require more intensive treatments. [3] This qualitative study sought to understand barriers and facilitators to prescribing AUD medications in PC.

Results

Conclusion