Running Bear U, Poole EM, Muller C, Hanson JD, Noonan C, Trojan J, Rosenman R, Manson SM. The use of patient navigation to transition detoxification patients to substance use treatment in the Alaska Interior.
PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2023;
6:100418. [PMID:
37635913 PMCID:
PMC10448195 DOI:
10.1016/j.puhip.2023.100418]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives
Detoxification clinics manage acute intoxication and withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. At discharge, patients are referred to treatment, yet many are readmitted to detoxification, creating a "revolving door" of discharges and admissions. This pattern disproportionately affects some groups such as Alaska Native and American Indian (AN/AI) people. The primary goals of this study are to: 1) test the effectiveness of a patient navigation intervention to increase rates of transition to alcohol treatment following detoxification, and 2) prevent readmission to detoxification within 12-months. The secondary goal is a cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit evaluation of patient navigation.
Study design
This randomized controlled comparative effectiveness trial plans to recruit 440 patients (∼70% AN/AI) admitted to alcohol detoxification. We collaborated with Fairbanks Native Association (FNA) to select an appropriate intervention, control condition, and other study-related decisions. Here, we describe intervention development, study design, challenges encountered during implementation, and collaborative processes to identify solutions.
Methods
Participants are equally randomized to the control (one motivational interviewing session) or intervention (one motivational interviewing session plus up to four weeks of patient navigation). The primary outcomes are successful transition to alcohol treatment within 30-days after discharge and detoxification readmission within 12-months. The secondary outcome is health-related quality of life.
Conclusion
Patient navigation is successful in other settings and for other health conditions. It may assist in overcoming barriers to successful transition to substance use treatment and may augment interventions, such as motivational interviewing, that are less resource-intensive but may not be optimally effective by themselves.
ClinicalTrialsgov Identifier
NCT03737864.
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