Table 2 Principal components analysis of items in Barriers to Methadone Prescribing Scale

Risks associated with MMT delivery

Factor 1

Factor 2

Factor 3

1. Don’t want it known that I have a methadone license

0.74*

0.27

0.19

2. It would shift my practice too much to patients with opioid dependence

0.81*

0.13

0.02

3. Afraid of patient diversion of methadone

0.75*

0

−0.05

4. Fear of becoming involved with surveillance

0.58*

0.13

0.47

5. Am generally uncomfortable managing patients with opioid dependence

0.55*

0.01

0.33

6. Difficult patient population

0.57*

0.17

0.15

Training and support issues

7. Not enough reimbursement

0.13

0.46*

0.32

8. Not enough interaction with other methadone maintenance practitioners

−0.02

0.54*

0.23

9. Not enough political commitment

0.15

0.54*

0.31

10. Not enough support services (e.g. drug screening, addiction counseling services)

0.03

0.62*

0.19

11. Too much paperwork

0.27

0.80*

0.04

Too much time involved

0.37

0.76*

−0.13

Little or no experience, training or education in the use of methadone for opioid dependence

0.01

0.51*

−0.10

Resistance from external sources

Community resistance

0.13

0.03

0.90*

Staff resistance

0.17

0.05

0.86*

Extensive regulations

0.14

0.34

0.71*