Nurse Care Manager Model
The nurse care manager model streamlines office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) under the supervision of a nurse care manager. In this model, nurse care managers perform the initial screening, connect patients to waivered providers for medication prescription, and conduct follow-up appointments with patients to monitor maintenance and recovery. The waivered provider confirms that treatment with medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is appropriate for the patient.
Examples of Nurse Care Manager Programs
- Boston Medical Center's Office Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) Program, also known as the Massachusetts Model, relies on nurse care managers to support physicians in treating opioid use disorder (OUD). Within this program, the nurse care managers are responsible for conducting the initial screening and providing continued support for patients throughout the treatment process. This collaborative approach ensures the provision of effective, coordinated, and team-based care to patients with OUD.
Implementation Considerations
Use of a nurse care manager model for OBOT can improve patient access to and retention in MOUD treatment while supporting the efficient use of waivered physicians. This model relieves some of the burden of work from physicians prescribing medication.
This model is highly dependent on the availability of a nurse care manager who can coordinate and manage a patient's care in the office-based setting. In rural areas with a shortage of healthcare providers, this can be a challenge.