Implementing an Unfolding Case Study Throughout the Nursing Curriculum to Increase Opioid Addiction Education.

BACKGROUND: Opioid use disorder (OUD) will touch the careers of future generations of nurses no matter their chosen setting of work. It is critical to incorporate OUD education into the nursing school curriculum to prepare these future nurses. METHOD: Research has shown that the unfolding case study is a beneficial pedagogical modality. It allows for the building of new information and the expansion of critical thinking by encouraging the student to assess and ask questions to receive further information. RESULTS: An unfolding case study was created that centered on a person who develops OUD and their family. It includes simulations, activities, and discussion topics. CONCLUSION: The unfolding case study can be integrated throughout the undergraduate curriculum from assessment to critical care. The unfolding case study can continue into the graduate program, which allows for interdisciplinary use. [J Nurs Educ. 2020;59(4):235-238.].

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Primary Care Offices.

Substance use disorder (SUD), more specifically opioid use disorder, is a national epidemic. Although there is an emphasis on treatment and increasing treatment locations, there continues to be a gap between the number of people with SUD and the number of treatment centers. To help narrow this gap, some primary care clinicians started providing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) on an outpatient basis in their offices. This option enables clinicians to provide treatment in their own communities, which increases access to treatment and decreases costs. It also enables the clinician and the person with SUD/opioid use disorder to build a relationship, which many clinicians believe is the foundation of successful treatment. The clinician, whether a doctor, a physician assistant, or an advanced practice nurse, has to obtain a Drug Addiction Treatment Act 2000 waiver to provide MAT beyond naltrexone, which has a required educational program and includes a limitation on the number of clients. Conversely, a possible drawback to this type of treatment is the potential for the disruption of continuity of care with regard to psychotherapy treatment. Federal law mandates that therapy is available and provided to people receiving MAT. The clinician may not be able to provide this service and would need to refer the person with SUD for psychotherapy treatment. It may be clinically significant for a type of follow-up communication to be implemented so that the clinician and the therapy provider can maximize SUD treatment success.