Attitudes Among Physician Associates Regarding Naloxone Prescribing for the Treatment of Opioid Overdose.
- 1Pain/Addiction, Wayspring, Nashville, USA.
- 2Family and Community Medicine, Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA.
Abstract
Objective This study aims to explore and better understand current attitudes and barriers among physician associates (PAs) toward naloxone prescribing to inform efforts that support wider adoption of overdose prevention strategies through naloxone prescribing. Methods This is a cross-sectional, descriptive survey study with quantitative and qualitative components. This 33-question survey was distributed to PAs who have graduated from an accredited PA program via email and social media. Results Ninety PAs across 34 states and 27 specialties completed the survey. Respondents affirm use of naloxone as a life-saving intervention and support its normalization in the community. Results also identified prescribing barriers and potential opportunities to decrease stigma and increase the prescribing rates of naloxone. Conclusions PAs demonstrated broadly favorable attitudes toward naloxone and overdose prevention; however, time constraints, concerns regarding patient perceptions, uncertainty regarding state-specific laws, and gaps in confidence were identified as potential barriers to routine prescribing. The results of this survey suggest that further work in developing real-world insights and educating PAs is likely to result in increased naloxone prescribing.
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BibTeX
@article{novak2026attitudes,
title = {{Attitudes Among Physician Associates Regarding Naloxone Prescribing for the Treatment of Opioid Overdose.}},
author = {Amanda Novak and Kirsten N Brondstater},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.117750},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43011136},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Attitudes Among Physician Associates Regarding Naloxone Prescribing for the Treatment of Opioid Overdose.
AU - Amanda Novak
AU - Kirsten N Brondstater
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/10
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.117750
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/43011136
AB - Objective This study aims to explore and better understand current attitudes and barriers among physician associates (PAs) toward naloxone prescribing to inform efforts that support wider adoption of overdose prevention strategies through naloxone prescribing. Methods This is a cross-sectional, descriptive survey study with quantitative and qualitative components. This 33-question survey was distributed to PAs who have graduated from an accredited PA program via email and social media. Results Ninety PAs across 34 states and 27 specialties completed the survey. Respondents affirm use of naloxone as a life-saving intervention and support its normalization in the community. Results also identified prescribing barriers and potential opportunities to decrease stigma and increase the prescribing rates of naloxone. Conclusions PAs demonstrated broadly favorable attitudes toward naloxone and overdose prevention; however, time constraints, concerns regarding patient perceptions, uncertainty regarding state-specific laws, and gaps in confidence were identified as potential barriers to routine prescribing. The results of this survey suggest that further work in developing real-world insights and educating PAs is likely to result in increased naloxone prescribing.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -