A parenting education program for women in treatment for opioid-use disorder at an outpatient medical practice

ABSTRACT

Opioid use during pregnancy poses serious risks for the mother and the unborn child. Opioid-use disorder may be managed with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in an outpatient setting, but few MAT practices specifically address the challenges faced by pregnant women. This article describes a medical office-based educational support group for women in MAT for opioid-use disorder who were pregnant and/or parenting young children. Focus groups were conducted to elicit patient feedback. Women indicated that they found the educational support groups beneficial and offered suggestions. In-office educational support groups for pregnant women in treatment for opioid-use disorder are feasible and well received.

KEYWORDS:

• Education
• maternal
• opioid-use disorder
• pregnancy and parenting

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the collaboration and support provided by our partners at the Center for Development of Human Services (CDHS) at the SUNY Buffalo State Institute for Community Health Promotion Collaborative Research Initiative: Jeannette L. Climenti, LMSW, Project Coordinator; Latise Hairston, PhD, Sr. Child Welfare Trainer; and Jeffrey Bloomberg, MFA, MEd, Research Coordinator.

Andrew Danzo, BA, Ranjit Singh, MBBChir (Cantab.) MBA, and Urmo Jaanimagi, MS, provided editorial assistance.

Funding

This study was supported in part by the SUNY Buffalo State Institute for Community Health Promotion Collaborative Research Initiative.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported in part by the SUNY Buffalo State Institute for Community Health Promotion Collaborative Research Initiative.