Organizational Readiness for Rural MOUD Programs

Rural programs interested in providing medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) should assess their readiness to implement such an initiative. Readiness is multi-dimensional, so rural programs should assess organizational readiness within several categories including workforce, operations, and financial. Assessing readiness prior to implementation can help ensure the success and sustainability of the program.

There are a variety of tools to help programs assess the extent to which they are prepared to implement MOUD:

• The National Council for Behavioral Health Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Readiness and Implementation Checklist provides a series of questions to assess organizational readiness, economic and regulatory readiness, workforce readiness, community readiness, and patient and caregiver readiness. Organizations should consider these questions prior to MOUD implementation.
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-Health Resources and Services Administration (SAMHSA-HRSA) Center for Integrated Health Solutions Medication Assisted Treatment Implementation Checklist lists key questions to consider before an organization works to increase access to MOUD.
• The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Academy Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Self-Assessment Checklist includes questions programs can use to assess readiness and monitor progress before, during, and after MOUD implementation.