Grant: Catalyst Grant: Prevention and Treatment of Illicit Substance Use

The purpose of this study is to explore the underlying factors that impact BC's Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) prescriber workforce. There is wide-spread acknowledgement that in order to increase patients' access to MMT- the only currently sanctioned pharmaceutical treatment for opiate dependence and addiction- more must be done to encourage greater numbers of physicians to prescribe it. However, very little is known about what motivates physicians to incorporate MMT into their practice, and how to encourage physicians to continue offering this therapy once they start. Thus, this study will fill an important a gap in knowledge on MMT physician motivation, workload, retention, treatment approaches, and professional development needs, which is critical to expanding access to this effective addiction treatment. To do this, we will collect data in two ways: 1) using self-administered questionnaire, which will be distributed to all registered physicians in BC; and 2) from in-depth interviews with physicians from each BC health authority. Key findings from this study will be used to develop relevant, tailored, professional education resources which encourage greater and more meaningful physician participation in MMT.ion in MMT.