Barriers to Accessing Opioid Treatment in Rural Queensland: Perspectives From Consumers and Clinicians

Rurality shapes treatment access not only through geographic isolation and limited infrastructure, but also through regulatory inconsistencies across regions, restricted service flexibility and the heightened visibility of individuals within small communities. These insights underscore the need for more localised, equity-focused policy responses and further research into new alternative interventions, such as telehealth and strategies to enhance the acceptance and uptake of long-acting injectable buprenorphine.