HIV and Addiction Services for People Who Inject Drugs: Healthcare Provider Perceptions on Integrated Care in the U.S. South

Authors

Davis Bradford, University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Mariel Parman, University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Sara Levy, University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Wesli H. Turner, University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Li Li, University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Leah Leisch, University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Ellen Eaton, University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Kaylee B. Crockett, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Primary Care & Community Health

Abstract

This qualitative study evaluates physician training and experience with treatment and prevention services for people who inject drugs (PWID) including medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The Behavioral Model of Healthcare Utilization for Vulnerable Populations was applied as a framework for data analysis and interpretation. Two focus groups were conducted, one with early career physicians (n = 6) and one with mid- to late career physicians (n = 3). Focus group transcripts were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify factors affecting implementation of treatment and prevention services for PWID. Respondents identified that increasing the availability of providers prescribing MOUD was a critical enabling factor for PWID seeking and receiving care. Integrated, interdisciplinary services were identified as an additional resource although these remain fragmented in the current healthcare system. Barriers to care included provider awareness, stigma associated with substance use, and access limitations. Providers identified the interwoven risk factors associated with injection drug use that must be addressed, including the risk of HIV acquisition, notably more at the forefront in the minds of early career physicians. Additional research is needed addressing the medical education curriculum, health system, and healthcare policy to address the addiction and HIV crises in the U.S. South.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319231161208

Publication Date

2023

PubMed ID

36941754

College or School

School of Medicine

Comments

2022/2023 APC Fund Awardee:
Dr. Kaylee Crockett, Assistant Professor
Heersink School of Medicine

Award Amount: $1,600.00

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Supplemental Associated Link

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/21501319231161208

Recommended Citation

Bradford D, Parman M, Levy S, Turner WH, Li L, Leisch L, Eaton E, Crockett KB. HIV and Addiction Services for People Who Inject Drugs: Healthcare Provider Perceptions on Integrated Care in the U.S. South. J Prim Care Community Health. 2023 Jan-Dec;14:21501319231161208. doi: 10.1177/21501319231161208. PMID: 36941754; PMCID: PMC10031597.