Limited data on medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) for older adults exists. Our aim is to conduct data analyses and interviews to improve the treatment of opioid use disorder in older adults.
Older adults are experiencing significant growth in opioid overdose and opioid use disorder (OUD). The rate of OUD tripled between 2013-2018 among Medicare beneficiaries and in 2023 opioid overdoses decreased in every age group except for adults aged 65 years and older. Individuals with OUD are more likely to face other chronic health conditions, and most middle aged and older adults with OUD have multiple chronic conditions (multimorbidity); which can make OUD treatment decision-making more complicated. While most clinical guidelines recommend shared decision-making in selecting MOUD, most clinical trials studying the first-line MOUD treatments excluded older adults or those with chronic conditions, leading to a key evidence gap for clinicians and patients with multimorbidity to discuss the risks and benefits of medications for OUD (MOUD). In this study, our aim is to conduct data analyses and interviews to help bridge this gap in evidence.
We are seeking a stakeholder partner to participate in 1-2 hour virtual meetings twice a year over the course of 5 years. In these meetings, which will be facilitated by a researcher involved with the project, stakeholders will review the direction of the project, including research topic generation, identification of outcomes, study design, and dissemination of findings. A participant who contributes in these ways will be a co-author on any academic publications which result from this project. In these sessions, we would hope that this individual would contribute their lived experiences as a caregiver to someone with OUD, provide their perspective on our planned study outcomes and how to ensure they are patient-oriented, and provide feedback on the implications of the results for patients.
We are seeking a stakeholder who is currently or has previously been a caregiver for someone with opioid use disorder (OUD), 18+, must be available for all sessions and publication review.
Funded: National Institute on Drug Abuse
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