Have you ever found yourself wishing there were more Suboxone prescribers in our area? Ever wonder why you can’t just go to your regular doctor to obtain addiction treatment? Well, there is a way! You can help us increase the amount of providers we have in our area by contacting your own doctor!
Truth Pharm Board Member, Theresa Baxter, a Nurse Practitioner who is passionate about access to Medical Assisted Treatment has drafted a letter and phone call script for your use in promoting a free waiver training coming up in Broome County open to all New York State physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and medical residents so that they can become part of the SOLUTION to the epidemic by becoming a Suboxone prescriber. Having addiction treatment available at your family physician’s officer will reduce stigma, increase successful outcomes and mainstream treatment and there is no excuse for any doctor to refuse to become certified.
Here is a letter you can copy and paste into a word document or email and personalize from yourself:
Your Name
Street Address
City, ST ZIP Code
Date
[INSERT YOUR CARE PROVIDERS NAME WITH PROPER TITLE]
Title
Organization Name
Street Address
City, ST ZIP Code
Dear [INSERT YOUR CARE PROVIDERS NAME WITH PROPER TITLE]:
As one of your patients, I wanted to be sure you were aware the NYSDOH AIDS Institute is hosting a Free Buprenorphine Waiver Eligibility Training for Clinical Providers (Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Medical Residents) on Saturday, December 9th, 2017 from 8:00AM to 1:00PM at the Broome County Health Dept., 225 Front Street, Conference Room, Binghamton, NY 13905.
As a physician [or Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant] I imagine that you currently care for patients with opioid use disorder/addiction, which nationally is a public health emergency. More than 64,000 people died in this country in 2016 from a drug overdose. You take great care of a wide range of medical conditions, this would be another service for you to offer to your current patients. This would also enable them to receive more of their care with a single provider of whom they already have a relationship with, furthering the opportunity for better health outcomes.
There aren’t enough clinicians who can prescribe buprenorphine, which is shameful since every provider with a DEA license can and likely has prescribed opioid pain medication to their patients. Unfortunately, that’s how many people start their addiction – with prescription opioids.
When patients are able to receive Buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder from their primary care provider it can decrease stigma and increase the chances for sustained recovery.
This is especially important to me because [INSERT PERSONAL STORY IF YOU CARE TO, OR DELETE THIS SECTION].
It’s a very educational course, free of charge, and easily accessible. Please consider this free of charge opportunity to help more people.
Sincerely,
Your loyal patient
After mailing your letter, we suggest you call your provider to follow up. If they are not interested in prescribing and helping with this solution, as their patient, you might want to know why:
Hello Dr. XXX or NP, or PA,
I’m one of your patients, and I wanted to be sure you received the letter I sent that included a flyer announcing a free buprenorphine waiver training course for clinical providers.
Did you have a chance to review it?
Ok, Can I tell you about it real quick? It’s free(!), very educational, and they’re serving refreshments.
Then can read the letter or paraphrase it………
Does this sound like something you and your colleagues can attend? It’s important to your patients, and it’s important to me personally because………..
Thank you so much for considering this. It could mean so much to so many people. Please let me know if you will attend or not. I’ll follow up after the training.
Here is a link to the flyer for the training event: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwbX8JuE_ng1d0RCTjc1bDNCWENlQU9zbmFIdVVZU2RlVkdN
Here is a link to directions: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwbX8JuE_ng1VzNwZ3hXWTdUU2ZSb0Zic1ZLMlcwcm1Oc19j
Here is a link to an email with pertinent information: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1a2xy2RoRsZSw5dGgKyph8Rkla0r1AXi-