Improving access to opioid treatment in rural areas using buprenorphine

Expanding access to opioid use disorder treatment with buprenorphine in rural primary care settings

NIH-funded research Portland VA Medical Center · NIH-10913380

This study is looking at how to make it easier for rural Veterans to get buprenorphine, a helpful medication for treating opioid use disorder, so they can receive the care they need just like those in cities.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPortland VA Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Portland, United States)
Project IDNIH-10913380 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to enhance access to buprenorphine, a medication for treating opioid use disorder (OUD), specifically in rural primary care settings. It addresses the significant disparity in treatment availability for rural Veterans, who are less likely to receive this effective medication compared to their urban counterparts. The project will analyze prescribing patterns and develop strategies to implement buprenorphine treatment in rural facilities, ultimately aiming to improve health outcomes for affected individuals. By leveraging successful practices from rural facilities, the research seeks to create a sustainable model for OUD treatment in these underserved areas.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are rural Veterans diagnosed with opioid use disorder who currently lack access to buprenorphine treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or those living in urban areas may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the availability of effective OUD treatment for rural Veterans, potentially reducing overdose rates and improving overall health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in integrating buprenorphine into primary care settings, indicating that this approach has the potential for positive outcomes.

Where this research is happening

Portland, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.