P22 - The IMPACT of Trauma: The role of trauma symptoms in methadone treatment quality and how a multimodal staff-level intervention can help

Monday, October 6, 2025

7:30am - 8:45am EST

Presenting Author(s)

Beth E. Meyerson, PhD (she/her/hers)

Beverly Benson McCord Endowed Chair of Nursing, Professor of Medicine, Director Harm Reduction Research Lab, Policy Director Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

Presentation Summary: This presentation will synthesize findings from three studies among Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) staff to illustrate the state of OTP staff wellness, its impacts on the quality of methadone treatment, and the potential of a staff-level intervention as a solution. We will discuss findings from our Arizona and national studies of OTP staff trauma histories, work-related (vicarious) trauma (VT) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). This will be followed by a discussion of findings from a two-clinic pilot of a multi-modal, staff-level experimental intervention designed to address VT and PTSS to improve methadone treatment quality and patient-centeredness.

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this activity, participants will:

Identify three outcomes of vicarious trauma and posttraumatic stress.
List at least three examples of how vicarious trauma and posttraumatic stress affect staff beliefs about patient care.
Explain the four components of the MPACT intervention.