Future research questions regarding buprenorphine may include:

1. Examining the impact of limited financial access due to payer policies that do not recognize buprenorphine as a preferred option for long-term opioid therapy on buprenorphine uptake. A larger body of evidence, especially that includes a greater range of health outcomes such as mental health measures or healthcare utilization, may help to encourage structural shifts to support buprenorphine use when appropriate.
2. Exploring how limited provider understanding of when and how to prescribe and manage appropriate monitoring impacts buprenorphine implementation. Implementation research specifically focused on provider-based interventions to improve comfort with the buprenorphine option would inform policymakers, healthcare administrators, and other healthcare leaders to support providers with training, guidance, and structural support to enable greater buprenorphine use among appropriate populations.