The California Health Care Foundation and the Center for Care Innovations have partnered with the Weitzman Institute in Middletown to develop a program specifically for California primary-care organizations to improve and expand their treatment of patients with opioid addiction.
Weitzman’s program, known as Project ECHO Buprenorphine, is the only such program designed and developed by primary-care providers for primary-care providers, according to a news release from Community Health Center Inc. of Middletown, of which Weitzman is the research and innovation arm.
Healthcare providers throughout California will receive real-time case discussions with primary-care practitioners actively treating substance abuse and addiction and from their firm understanding of the realities and challenges faced by front-line providers, CHC said.
Dr. Daren Anderson, director of the Weitzman Institute and CHC’s vice president and chief quality officer, said Weitzman ECHO lectures and discussions are led by practicing providers who fully understand the challenges faced by front-line providers. Because of that, Weitzman ECHO has grown into one of the largest ECHO providers in the country, delivering sessions to more than 880 providers and care team members in 24 states, he said.
Buprenorphine is one of the most effective, evidence-based interventions for treating opioid abuse and reducing overdose, but few primary-care providers have experience with the therapy or understand how to incorporate it into their practice, according to CHC’s announcement. The Weitzman ECHO creates virtual classrooms for primary-care providers and their practice teams to improve their skills and confidence in treating patients’ substance use disorders, it said.
To date, 14 California health centers have agreed to participate in ECHO Buprenorphine, with more health centers throughout the state expected to participate.
