Chaplain support at primary care buprenorphine clinic addresses mental health needs of patients
Leveraging the role of chaplaincy to enhance care for patients with opioid use disorder
Innovations In Primary Care
Chaplain Support at Primary Care Buprenorphine Clinic Addresses Mental Health Needs of Patients
Medication treatment with buprenorphine is widely used for opioid use disorder. Yet many people early in recovery experience emotional distress, social isolation, and difficulty finding meaning or rebuilding relationships. This report describes a team-based buprenorphine clinic within an academic family medicine residency practice that incorporated a clinically trained chaplain into patient care. The weekly half-day clinic began seeing patients in June 2022 and, by October 2025, had conducted 236 visits with 48 unique patients. Care is delivered by family medicine clinicians, nursing staff, and a chaplain trained in recovery coaching. During visits, the chaplain provides a psychologically safe space for conversation, supports patients in telling their stories, and works with them to identify “recovery capital,” or personal strengths and resources that may support recovery. Chaplain encounters also focus on how patients interpret their experiences and on emotional or spiritual distress related to substance use. Clinic staff reported that collaboration between medical and spiritual care providers produced more detailed patient histories and shared learning within the care team. As of October 2025, eight patients had achieved at least 12 months of sobriety—the clinic’s general benchmark for success—and were transitioned back to their primary care physician for ongoing medication and recovery management. Other patients are continuing to receive care through the clinic.
Leveraging the Role of Chaplaincy to Enhance Care for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder
April D. Newton, PT, DPT, PhD, et al
School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
There will be an accompanying episode of the Annals of Family Medicine podcast with Dr. Seth Hunter and Chaplain Dustin Hite available Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 10am ET here
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Chaplain Support at Primary Care Buprenorphine Clinic Addresses Mental Health Needs of Patients
Medication treatment with buprenorphine is widely used for opioid use disorder. Yet many people early in recovery experience emotional distress, social isolation, and difficulty finding meaning or rebuilding relationships. This report describes a team-based buprenorphine clinic within an academic family medicine residency practice that incorporated a clinically trained chaplain into patient care. The weekly half-day clinic began seeing patients in June 2022 and, by October 2025, had conducted 236 visits with 48 unique patients. Care is delivered by family medicine clinicians, nursing staff, and a chaplain trained in recovery coaching. During visits, the chaplain provides a psychologically safe space for conversation, supports patients in telling their stories, and works with them to identify “recovery capital,” or personal strengths and resources that may support recovery. Chaplain encounters also focus on how patients interpret their experiences and on emotional or spiritual distress related to substance use. Clinic staff reported that collaboration between medical and spiritual care providers produced more detailed patient histories and shared learning within the care team. As of October 2025, eight patients had achieved at least 12 months of sobriety—the clinic’s general benchmark for success—and were transitioned back to their primary care physician for ongoing medication and recovery management. Other patients are continuing to receive care through the clinic.
Leveraging the Role of Chaplaincy to Enhance Care for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder
April D. Newton, PT, DPT, PhD, et al
School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
There will be an accompanying episode of the Annals of Family Medicine podcast with Dr. Seth Hunter and Chaplain Dustin Hite available Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 10am ET here
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