Exploring patient experience and satisfaction with depot buprenorphine formulations: A mixed-methods study

Original research
by
Allen, Eve et al

Release Date

2023

Geography

Australia

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

This study aims to explore the experiences of patients receiving depot buprenorphine from an Australian publicly operated drug and alcohol service.

Findings/Key points

The majority of participants reported satisfaction with depot buprenorphine across the domains of efficacy, convenience and global satisfaction. Participants perceived benefits as increased convenience, reduced stigmatisation and the inability to ‘skip’ daily Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD) doses. There were mixed experiences with the ability for depot buprenorphine to ‘hold’ participants throughout the dosing interval. Reduced contact and disconnection from healthcare services were reported as an issue for some participants when initiating depot buprenorphine.

Design/methods

Twenty-eight participants consented to be involved in a mixed methods quantitative verbal survey and qualitative interview process.

Keywords

Substitution/OAT
About PWUD