A Pain to Practice: Attitudes of Medical Family Therapists Working With Patients With Opioid Use Disorder |
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| Authors: | Max Zubatsky Tai J Mendenhall Jocelyn Fowler Steven M Harris |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri, USAzubatskyjm@slu.edu;3. Family Social Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA;4. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACTThe prevalence of patients with opioid misuse in medical settings continues to rise, and it is unknown how much exposure medical family therapists (MedFTs) have in treating this issue. This study explored the attitudes of MedFTs (n = 58) when working with patients struggling with opioid use disorder in clinical practice. Results revealed that 43% of MedFTs had a low comfort level in working with this population and preferred to make referrals to primary care providers. Given that opioid use disorder cases are rising in healthcare settings, emerging mental health professionals would benefit from additional training to effectively treat this population. |
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