The opioid epidemic has been devastating for society. A major problem of the opioid epidemic is Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), a chronic brain disease with debilitating effects. While effective treatments have emerged, they are inadequate, due to the mandated withdrawal period of certain OUD medications. The “Bernese method,” a buprenorphine microdosing technique, has evolved as an alternative treatment approach. The Bernese method circumvents the withdrawal period mandated by the standard induction of buprenorphine by the process of microdosing. A literature review on the Bernese method revealed five themes: (1) fear of withdrawal, (2) dosing strategies and protocols, (3) the pharmacology of buprenorphine microdosing, (4) safety, tolerability, and comfort, and (5) fentanyl related challenges. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to develop and deliver an introductory educational session on the Bernese method for clinicians at an urban, 1200-bed, level one trauma center in the Midwest. Contextualized by nursing theorist Katherine Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort, this EBP project highlights the need for further education on the Bernese method, as well as the need to provide comfort to this marginalized and high-risk population of opioid users. Accompanying the introductory educational session were five multiple choice questions. Of the 12 participants, 58% (n=7) viewed the recorded presentation and completed the survey questions. Greater than 80% of participants answered four out of five survey questions correctly. Evaluation of the education session supports the need for further education, as well as higher level research to establish clinical practice guidelines and appropriate dosing strategies.
