Urban and Rural Utilization of Evidence‐Based Practices for Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders

Abstract

Challenges to EBP utilization and fidelity should be monitored as EBPs contribute to the delivery of high-quality care. Collaborations between universities and rural agencies may support an agency's abilities to adopt EBPs, train staff, and systematically assess impact.

Barriers and Facilitators to Substance Use Treatment in the Rural South: A Qualitative Study

“…Implementing evidence‐based interventions in rural communities to address the needs of this population is associated with a unique set of challenges . Rural agencies may be less likely than urban agencies to use evidence‐based interventions, citing cost of implementation, a lack of trained staff, and the lack of university‐community collaborations as contributing factors .…”

“…Implementing evidence‐based interventions in rural communities to address the needs of this population is associated with a unique set of challenges . Rural agencies may be less likely than urban agencies to use evidence‐based interventions, citing cost of implementation, a lack of trained staff, and the lack of university‐community collaborations as contributing factors . Another study in rural communities found that substance abuse agency fiscal challenges, therapists’ beliefs that engaging clients will be difficult due to client transportation barriers, and challenges with referrals all impacted agency ability to implement the intervention .…”

“…37,38 Rural agencies may be less likely than urban agencies to use evidence-based interventions, citing cost of implementation, a lack of trained staff, and the lack of university-community collaborations as contributing factors. 37 Another study in rural communities found that substance abuse agency fiscal challenges, therapists' beliefs that engaging clients will be difficult due to client transportation barriers, and challenges with referrals all impacted agency ability to implement the intervention. 39,40 Many programs are also developed in urban settings, and therefore may require extensive resources for adaptation and implementation in rural communities.…”

Medication‐Assisted Opioid Treatment Prescribers in Federally Qualified Health Centers: Capacity Lags in Rural Areas

“…Future research should explore the barriers to on-site provision of substance use disorder services in health centers such as the patient cap for DEA-waivered prescribers, 46 with a focus on barriers in rural areas. 10,47 The integration of behavioral health and medical services should be a focus area for future research, since integrated services are more likely to address patient needs in a comprehensive and high-quality way. 48 One previous study highlights the link between buprenorphine maintenance and increased access to preventive care, which should be further explored.…”

Outcomes From the First Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence‐Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare Invitational Expert Forum

“…Further, estimates suggest that healthcare spending could be reduced substantially if patients consistently receive evidence‐based care. Regardless of the overwhelming positive outcomes associated with EBP, the delivery of evidence‐based care in healthcare settings and by clinicians across disciplines is highly variable with an alarming number of point of care providers not providing evidence‐based care or following evidence‐based guidelines (Dotson et al., ; Melnyk et al., ; Vlada et al., ). Leadership also appears to be conflicted about the value and the importance of implementing EBP in their organizations.…”