Exploring the Relationship Between the Reverse the Cycle Model and Staff Attitudes Towards Patients with Opioid Use Disorder (A Pilot Study)

The Mosaic Group Reverse the Cycle (RTC) model focuses on treatment initiation and referrals for patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in Maryland hospital Emergency Departments (EDs). The model’s major components include universal screening and peer intervention, the overdose survivor outreach program targeting high-risk patients with OUD, and buprenorphine initiation within the ED.  

  

Previous research indicates that health professionals generally have negative attitudes towards patients with substance use disorder, are less engaged personally with such patients, and show diminished empathy towards them. Years of observations by the Mosaic Group have also shown that staff attitudes towards patients with OUD can be negative and staff may feel ill-prepared to help such patients.  

  

The primary aim of this pilot study, a collaboration between Mosaic Group and the University of Maryland Baltimore Systems Evaluation Center, is to explore the relationship between ED staff members’ exposure/involvement during RTC model implementation and their attitudes toward patients with OUD. A secondary aim is to characterize the sample and gain information about recruitment for possible future studies. If the initial data permit, the role of possible confounding factors in predicting ED staff members’ attitudes towards individuals with OUD will be explored. The results of this pilot study will also provide information about the feasibility of future studies in this area. The information from this study will be used to improve the quality of care for patients with OUD and refine the RTC model.