An Intervention Mapping Approach to Closing the Gap in Maternal OUD and Infant NAS Care
University of Pennsylvania
Summary
The purpose of this study is to address the gap in maternal OUD treatment and infant neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome care. The research team will develop a treatment model and a set of strategies to provide evidence-based OUD treatment to postpartum mothers in NICUs. First, the investigators will conduct a needs assessment via in-depth qualitative interviews with NICU mothers and clinicians. Then, with the expertise of the advisory board, the the researchers will create a protocol for implementing maternal OUD treatment at the NICU bedside. The researchers will then implement the protocol in two partner NICUs and evaluate the acceptability and feasibility to patients, providers, and clinical, and administrative leaders. The goal of this research study is to integrate maternal mental health and substance abuse treatment in pediatric settings and to refine, test, and examine the acceptability and feasibility of applying the adapted model.
Description
The increasing prevalence of pregnant and postpartum women affected by Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in the US is highlighted by the growing number of babies referred to the NICU for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome after birth. Despite recent advances in integrating mental health and substance abuse treatment into adult healthcare settings, no current treatment options exist to integrate maternal OUD treatment and referrals into the pediatric care setting making it unlikely that mothers will be able to access care. In order to preserve the dyadic bond, improve maternal functioning, and provide a more…