Inquiries About and Initiation of Buprenorphine Treatment in an Inner-City Clinic |
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| Authors: | Chinazo O. Cunningham MD MS Angela Giovanniello PharmD Galit Sacajiu MD MPH Xuan Li MS Mia Brisbane Nancy L. Sohler PhD MPH |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Division of General Internal Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center , Bronx, New York, USA;2. Department of Family and Social Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center , Bronx, New York, USA;3. Department of Family and Social Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center , Bronx, New York, USA;4. Division of General Internal Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center , Bronx, New York, USA;5. Department of Family and Social Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center , Bronx, New York, USA;6. Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education , City University of New York , New York, New York, USA |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT Despite increases in opioid dependence, availability of buprenorphine treatment remains limited. Reasons may include health center concerns about becoming overwhelmed or attracting patients who differ from the local community. This study documents inquiries about and initiation of buprenorphine treatment in an inner-city health center. From 2006–2008, we collected demographic information and subsequent treatment data for everyone who inquired about treatment. Of the 324 people who inquired, 55.6% initiated treatment. The number of inquiries increased gradually over time, and most came from local community residents (80.4%). These results may allay health center concerns, and can help planning for buprenorphine treatment. |
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| Keywords: | Buprenorphine opioid dependence substance abuse treatment community health center opioid |
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