Barriers and Translational Solutions to Improving Community Living Outcomes among People of Color with Disabilities with Opioid Use Disorder: A Focus Group Perspective.

This investigation examined vocational rehabilitation, substance abuse, and mental health service providers' perceptions about barriers and potentially translational solutions to poor community living outcomes for people of color with disabilities (i.e., African Americans, Latinx, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, Asian Americans, and Pacific islanders) who have opioid use disorder. We conducted one focus group discussion (N = 12) that identified the proliferation of opioids in the community, treatment access, employment, and transportation as community living outcome barriers. The findings point to the need for further research that address poor outcomes among target group members.

Factors in Utilization of Telehealth Treatment by Rural African-Americans with Opioid Use Disorder and Disabilities.

This study explored factors that impact telehealth service utilization for treatment of African Americans with disabilities with opioid use disorder in rural communities. A focus group was conducted involving 12 different mental health, substance use, and rehabilitation counseling professionals. The analysis was completed using NVivo (Version 12). The results identified critical barriers that included historical distrust of technology and healthcare systems, digital divide/unavailability of Internet modems, fear of losing confidentiality, and agency non-approval. The benefits were improved communication, reduction of stigma, continuity of care, and convenience of collaboration. The findings indicate the need for additional research in this topic area.

Community Living Outcome Factors for People of Color with Disabilities and Concomitant Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review mapped the pertinent extant published and grey literature and policy to assess factors that promote positive community living outcomes among people of color with disabilities and concomitant opioid use disorder (OUD) in the United States (U.S.). Forty-three publications covering OUD and people of color with disabilities and people of color with disabilities and community living content were reviewed. Select community living barriers and potential interventions were identified for people of color with disabilities in general; however, the review failed to classify such factors for those with OUD. Authors offered recommendations for practice, research, and policy.

A Scoping Review of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Barriers and Telehealth for African Americans with Disabilities in Rural Communities.

This article provided a comprehensive overview of challenges that African Americans with disabilities residing in rural areas often face in the United States when accessing telehealth treatment to mitigate opioid misuse. A scoping literature review was conducted focusing on this target population, telehealth, disabilities, opioid treatment, and rural healthcare systems. Systematic searches on eight electronic databases were carried out in line with the study's aims. The results identified treatment benefits and advantages, expansion challenges, and multicultural considerations for telehealth delivery. There may be a need to increase rehabilitation research in this area to inform needed changes in policies and practice.