Implementing incentives in family medicine for opioid use disorder treatment: a qualitative inquiry on provider and patient preferences for a low magnitude reward program compatible with buprenorphine treatment

Patient and staff feedback was well-aligned, especially regarding rewards as an opportunity for staff-patient connection and the need for simplicity. Comparing end-user suggestions with the literature, some consensus suggestions (e.g. non-escalating rewards) highlighted feasible places to compromise on ideal effectiveness to gain implementability. However, others (e.g. use of self-report to verify goals) conflicted directly with CM principles and indicate where more intensive education, support, and monitoring will be needed for implementation fidelity. These findings inform user-centered design and iteration of an incentive program for this accessible, non-specialized family medicine setting.