Physicians’ satisfaction with providing buprenorphine treatment

Abstract

Background Buprenorphine is a critically important treatment for addressing the opioid epidemic, but there are virtually no studies of physicians’ job satisfaction with providing buprenorphine. Physicians’ job satisfaction has been linked to burnout and turnover as well as patients’ adherence to treatment recommendations, so it is important to understand how physicians’ satisfaction with providing buprenorphine treatment compares to their overall job satisfaction. Methods As part of a cluster randomized clinical trial (RCT) focused on expanding access to medication for opioid use disorder, 55 physicians working in 38 organizations in Florida, Ohio, and Wisconsin completed a baseline web-based survey. Study measures included global job satisfaction, career satisfaction, and specialty satisfaction. Physicians who were waivered to prescribe buprenorphine were asked to rate their satisfaction with their current buprenorphine practice. Results Overall, physicians were generally satisfied with their jobs, their careers, and their specialties. When waivered physicians (n = 40) were compared to non-waivered physicians (n = 15) on 13 satisfaction items, there were no statistically significant differences. Among waivered physicians, ratings for buprenorphine work were significantly lower than ratings for general medical practice for finding such work personally rewarding, being pleased with such work, and overall satisfaction. Conclusions Although waivered and non-waivered physicians both reported high global job satisfaction, these data suggest that some waivered physicians may view their buprenorphine work as somewhat less satisfying than their global medical practice. Given that job dissatisfaction is a risk factor for turnover and burnout, managers of treatment organizations should consider whether strategies may be able to mitigate some sources of lower satisfaction in the context of buprenorphine treatment. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT02926482. Date of registration: September 9, 2016. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02926482

Clinical leaders and providers’ perspectives on delivering medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder in Veteran Affairs’ facilities

“…The literature is sparse regarding job satisfaction, perceived support, and job-related self-esteem of providers delivering MOUD, and what is available is limited to primary care prescribers [ 30 , 33 , 38 , 39 ]. Consistent with a prior study, our respondents from multiple disciplines reported high satisfaction with treating patients with OUD [ 38 ].…”

“…The literature is sparse regarding job satisfaction, perceived support, and job-related self-esteem of providers delivering MOUD, and what is available is limited to primary care prescribers [ 30 , 33 , 38 , 39 ]. Consistent with a prior study, our respondents from multiple disciplines reported high satisfaction with treating patients with OUD [ 38 ]. Further, providers reported positive views of their effectiveness and comfort working with patients who use opioids, as well as their knowledge of opioid use and related consequences, and ability to access support from colleagues.…”

Prescribers’ satisfaction with delivering medications for opioid use disorder

“…A systematic review published by Becker and Fiellin in 2005 [ 17 ] noted a gap in the literature regarding prescriber satisfaction with delivering buprenorphine treatment. Since that review, there have been two publications regarding prescriber satisfaction, one a qualitative study of rural prescribers [ 18 ] and the other a survey of a small sample of physicians in three states [ 19 ]. Andrilla and colleagues found that rural prescribers described their buprenorphine practice as rewarding and meaningful.…”

“…Andrilla and colleagues found that rural prescribers described their buprenorphine practice as rewarding and meaningful. However, a survey of waivered physicians indicated that prescribers rated their buprenorphine work as significantly less personally rewarding when compared to their general medical practice [ 19 ]. To date, there have been no studies of prescriber satisfaction with delivering XR-naltrexone as a treatment for OUD.…”

Commentary on physicians’ satisfaction with providing buprenorphine treatment by Knudsen et al.

“…Knudsen et al report findings of physician satisfaction with providing buprenorphine treatment across three states [1]. While this report of baseline data from a larger study evaluating different approaches to implementing buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) into ambulatory settings [2] is small in sample size and reach, it raises an important issue that should be addressed for all projects attempting to expand the number of providers offering buprenorphine: provider satisfaction.…”