Primary care nurse practitioner work environments and emergency department utilization among older adults with substance use disorders in rural areas

The prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) is growing among older adults, and older adults in rural areas face disparities in access to SUD care. Rural older adults with SUDs commonly have comorbid chronic conditions that puts them at risk for frequent acute healthcare utilization. In rural areas, primary care for patients with SUDs are increasingly provided by nurse practitioners (NPs), and quality primary care services may decrease ED visits in this population. Yet, NP-delivered primary care for rural older adults with SUDs may be limited by work environment barriers, which include lack of support, autonomy, and visibility.

Source: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment - December 27, 2023 Category: Addiction Authors: Eleanor Turi, Amy L. McMenamin, Grant Martsolf, Deborah Hasin, Benjamin H. Han, Jianfang Liu, Lusine Poghosyan Source Type: research