Perspectives on Clinical Champions Implementing Hospital-Based Opioid Treatment in US Hospitals

What characteristics and supports enable effective champions to implement hospital-based opioid treatment (HBOT) in US hospitals?In this qualitative study of 31 hospital staff across 12 community hospitals, effective champions were perceived as respected insiders with institutional influence, persistence, and systems change skills. They built multidisciplinary teams, embedded HBOT into workflows, and overcame barriers through patient narratives. Champions were seen as most effective when supported by executive leadership, protected time, and external practice facilitation.To expand HBOT, these findings suggest hospitals should invest in influential champions and provide leadership support, dedicated time, and external resources that can accelerate adoption of evidence-based addiction care.

Corresponding Author: Linda Peng, MD, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code UHN30, Portland, OR 97239 (pengli@ohsu.edu).

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