Clinician beliefs and attitudes about buprenorphine/naloxone diversion. (11th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schuman‐Olivier, Zev; Connery, Hilary; Griffin, Margaret L.; Wyatt, Steve A.; Wartenberg, Alan A.; Borodovsky, Jacob; Renner, John A.; Weiss, Roger D.
• Is Part Of: American journal on addictions. Volume 22:Number 6(2013:Nov./Dec.)
• Page Start: 574
• Page End: 580
• Publication Date: 2013-04-11
• Subjects: Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.86005
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2013.12024.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1055-0496

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ajad12024-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and Objectives</title> <p>Concern about diversion of buprenorphine/naloxone (B/N) in the United States may affect prescribing patterns and policy decisions. This study examines addiction treatment clinician beliefs and attitudes regarding B/N diversion.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajad12024-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Participants (<italic>n</italic> = 369) completed a 34‐item survey in 2010 during two national symposia on opioid dependence. We conducted multivariable regression, examining the relationship of perceived danger from B/N diversion with clinician characteristics and their beliefs about B/N treatment and diversion. We compared causal beliefs about diversion among clinicians with and without B/N treatment experience.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajad12024-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Forty percent of clinicians believed that B/N diversion is a dangerous problem. The belief that B/N diversion increases accidental overdoses in the community was strongly associated with perceived danger from B/N diversion.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajad12024-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions and Scientific Significance</title> <p>Attitudes and beliefs, not education level, were associated with clinician's perceived danger from B/N diversion. Clinicians with greater B/N patient experience were more likely to believe treatment access barriers are the major cause of B/N diversion. (Am J Addict 2013;22:574–580)</p> </sec> </abstract>