Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) is a medical treatment for people with opioid use disorder. It reduces cravings for opioids and prevents severe withdrawal symptoms. More information can be found on Health Canada’s website: Opioid use disorder and treatment.
April 2024 Update:
A survey is under development to help better understand the challenges and opportunities in primary care related to OAT for opioid use disorders (OUD). Many different elements for prescribers need to be addressed including education, mentoring and ongoing support. The survey will be shared with acute and primary care providers.
Work is ongoing with some local Emergency Department Chiefs of Staff related to starting to prescribe Suboxone in the Emergency Department (ED) with the goal of building a regional approach to OUD. This approach will include the development of standard Suboxone protocols.
Consideration is also being given to how best to engage primary care providers in this work, recognizing the need extends beyond the ED.
February 2024 Update:
Meetings have continued with local health care providers, including primary care prescribers.
Education and mentorship strategies are being considered to support primary care providers in the prescribing of OAT.
Next steps include the development of a survey to go to primary care prescribers, to identify their learning needs related to understanding and prescribing OAT.
November 2023 Update:
An education session has been provided to the Emergency Department (ED) physicians at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie about the use of Buprenorphine (Suboxone) in the ED.
A group of physicians from across the region is meeting to develop a regional approach for starting OAT in the ED.
September 2023 Update:
Initial work is being undertaken to plan and provide education and mentorship for healthcare providers interested in integrating OAT into their practice.