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Kline-Simon AH, Palzes VA, Chi FW, Satre DD, Weisner C, Sterling SA. Was receipt of any specialty alcohol treatment during the pandemic effective at reducing drinking for patients with or at risk of AUD? JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 168:209531. [PMID: 39378954 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 09/23/2024] [Accepted: 10/03/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way healthcare providers delivered most health services, including treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Specialty alcohol treatment remained available through the pandemic, and within some systems treatment use increased likely due to telehealth availability. However, the field knows little about the relationship between the pandemic's expanded access to specialty alcohol treatment and alcohol use outcomes. METHODS The sample included 14,712 patients from Kaiser Permanente Northern California who screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use in primary care and had an AUD diagnosis or risked developing an AUD by reporting 5 or more heavy drinking days in a 3-month period between 1/1/2019 and 2/29/2020 (pre-pandemic). The study examined the receipt of any specialty alcohol treatment (including at least one outpatient, inpatient, or telehealth specialty treatment encounter, or pharmacotherapy prescription) from 3/1/2020 (pandemic start) to either the first completed follow-up alcohol screening or 6/20/2022 (study period end). The outcomes of alcohol use included changes in heavy drinking days, drinks per week, drinking days per week, and drinks per drinking day between the pre- and post-pandemic periods. RESULTS On average patients significantly decreased alcohol use across all four alcohol use measures examined, regardless of whether they received treatment. However, those who received any treatment compared to those who did not had greater reductions in alcohol use, with an additional decrease of -3.55 heavy drinking days (95 % CI = -5.93, -1.17), -3.80 drinks per week (95 % CI = -5.18, -2.42), -0.72 drinks per drinking day (95 % CI = -1.14, -0.30), and - 1.01 drinking days per week (95 % CI = -1.30, -0.72). Treatment effects were greatest among patients who exceeded both daily and weekly limits pre-pandemic, with an additional decrease of -10.75 heavy drinking days (95 % CI = -15.28, -6.21), -12.83 drinks per week (95 % CI = -16.31, -9.35), -1.67 drinks per drinking day (95 % CI = -2.19, -1.14), and -2.02 drinking days per week (95 % CI = -2.41, -1.63). CONCLUSIONS On average, patients decreased alcohol use during the onset of the pandemic, however, those who had any specialty alcohol treatment had significantly greater decreases, suggesting that the hybrid in-person and telehealth treatment approach was effective during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea H Kline-Simon
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612-2304, United States of America.
| | - Vanessa A Palzes
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612-2304, United States of America
| | - Felicia W Chi
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612-2304, United States of America
| | - Derek D Satre
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612-2304, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, 675 18(th) Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States of America
| | - Constance Weisner
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612-2304, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, 675 18(th) Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States of America
| | - Stacy A Sterling
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612-2304, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, 675 18(th) Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States of America; Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, United States of America
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Vakkalanka JP, Gadag K, Lavin L, Ternes S, Healy HS, Merchant KAS, Scott W, Wiggins W, Ward MM, Mohr NM. Telehealth Use and Health Equity for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:1205-1220. [PMID: 38227387 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: As a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), telehealth utilization accelerated to facilitate health care management and minimize risk. However, those with mental health conditions and substance use disorders (SUD)-who represent a vulnerable population, and members of underrepresented minorities (e.g., rural, racial/ethnic minorities, the elderly)-may not benefit from telehealth equally. Objective: To evaluate health equality in clinical effectiveness and utilization measures associated with telehealth for clinical management of mental health disorders and SUD to identify emerging patterns for underrepresented groups stratified by race/ethnicity, gender, age, rural status, insurance, sexual minorities, and social vulnerability. Methods: We performed a systematic review in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL through November 2022. Studies included those with telehealth, COVID-19, health equity, and mental health or SUD treatment/care concepts. Our outcomes included general clinical measures, mental health or SUD clinical measures, and operational measures. Results: Of the 2,740 studies screened, 25 met eligibility criteria. The majority of studies (n = 20) evaluated telehealth for mental health conditions, while the remaining five studies evaluated telehealth for opioid use disorder/dependence. The most common study outcomes were utilization measures (n = 19) or demographic predictors of telehealth utilization (n = 3). Groups that consistently demonstrated less telehealth utilization during the PHE included rural residents, older populations, and Black/African American minorities. Conclusions: We observed evidence of inequities in telehealth utilization among several underrepresented groups. Future efforts should focus on measuring the contribution of utilization disparities on outcomes and strategies to mitigate disparities in implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Priyanka Vakkalanka
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Khyathi Gadag
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Lauren Lavin
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Sara Ternes
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Heather S Healy
- Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Kimberly A S Merchant
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Wakina Scott
- Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Whitney Wiggins
- Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Marcia M Ward
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Nicholas M Mohr
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Perumalswami PV, Adams MA, Frost MC, Holleman R, Kim HM, Zhang L, Lin LA. Telehealth and delivery of alcohol use disorder treatment in the Veterans Health Administration. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:944-954. [PMID: 38529689 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of telehealth treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is unclear which patients are using telehealth and how telehealth visits are associated with treatment duration. This study examined characteristics associated with telehealth use among Veterans Health Administration patients receiving AUD treatment. METHODS Using a national retrospective cohort study, we examined data from March 01, 2020 to February 28, 2021 to: First, identify patient characteristics associated with (a) any telehealth versus only in-person care for AUD treatment, and (b) video (≥1 video visit) versus only telephone visits for AUD treatment (≥1 telephone visit, no video) among any telehealth users. This analysis used mixed-effects logistic regression models to adjust for potential correlation across patients treated at the same facility. Second, we assessed whether visit modality was associated with the amount of AUD treatment received (number of AUD psychotherapy visits or medication coverage days). This analysis used mixed-effects negative binomial regression models. RESULTS Among 138,619 patients who received AUD treatment, 52.8% had ≥1 video visit, 38.1% had ≥1 telephone but no video visits, and 9.1% had only in-person visits. In the regression analyses, patients who were male or had an opioid or stimulant use disorder (compared to having no non-AUD substance use disorder) were less likely to receive any telehealth-delivered AUD treatment compared to only in-person AUD treatment. Among patients who received any telehealth-delivered AUD treatment, those who were ≥45 years old (compared to 18-29 years old), Black (compared to White), diagnosed with a cannabis or stimulant use disorder, or diagnosed with a serious mental illness were less likely to receive a video visit than only telephone visits. Receiving any AUD telehealth was associated with receiving more psychotherapy visits and medication coverage days than only in-person care. CONCLUSIONS Telehealth, a common modality for AUD treatment, supported a greater number of psychotherapy visits and a longer duration of medication treatment for AUD. However, some groups were less likely to receive any video telehealth than telephone visits, suggesting that multiple treatment modalities should remain available to ensure treatment access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ponni V Perumalswami
- Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Gastroenterology Section, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Megan A Adams
- Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Gastroenterology Section, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Madeline C Frost
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rob Holleman
- Health Services Research & Development, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Hyungjin Myra Kim
- Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Consulting for Statistics, Computing & Analytics Research (CSCAR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lan Zhang
- Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Addiction Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lewei Allison Lin
- Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Addiction Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Almazan E, Dixon J, Gerstenblith A, Andrews S, Flanary J, Cameron AM, Gurakar A, Chen PH. Between-hospital care referrals for severe alcohol-related liver disease during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 to 2022. Alcohol Alcohol 2024; 59:agad071. [PMID: 37873970 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agad071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased alcohol consumption during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is projected to impact alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) morbidity and mortality. Inter-hospital escalation-of-care referral requests to our tertiary-care hepatology unit were analyzed from January 2020 through December 2022. Most requests to our center were for ALD with an increase in requests from intermediate care units, suggestive of higher acuity illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Almazan
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Juliette Dixon
- Department of Care Management, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Avi Gerstenblith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sarah Andrews
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - James Flanary
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Andrew M Cameron
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ahmet Gurakar
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Po-Hung Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Conner KR, Maisto SA, Abar B, Szafranski S, Chiang A, Hutchison M, Aldalur A, Stecker T. Brief, cognitive-behavioral intervention to promote treatment seeking in adults with severe alcohol use disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Addiction 2023; 118:2342-2351. [PMID: 37488997 PMCID: PMC10805959 DOI: 10.1111/add.16300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is little RCT evidence that brief interventions improve treatment seeking in individuals with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) or treatment seeking reduces alcohol use. The aim was to test the efficacy of a brief intervention to increase treatment seeking in treatment naïve adults with severe AUD and measure its effects on alcohol use. DESIGN Parallel group, non-pharmacologic RCT with intervention (n = 197) and active control (n = 203) conditions, with blinded assessors conducting follow-ups at 1, 3 and 6 months. SETTING Online recruitment in a 17-county region of upstate New York, USA. PARTICIPANTS Inclusion criteria consisted of ages ≥18 years, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score ≥16, exceeds recommended limits for alcohol use and no history of AUD treatment. n = 400; 50% female; 79% white; mean age, 40.7; mean education, 14.6 years. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR One-session telephone-delivered interventions: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Treatment Seeking (CBT-TS; intervention), review of a National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism pamphlet on AUD treatment (control). MEASUREMENTS Self-report of any AUD treatment use over 3 months (primary outcome) and two standard measures of alcohol use over 6 months (secondary outcomes). FINDINGS Intent-to-treat analyses were used. Assessment follow-up rates were ≥93%. Any alcohol-related treatment use over 3-month follow-up was obtained by 38 (19%) intervention participants and 36 (18%) control participants, a non-significant difference, χ2 [1] = 0.16, P = 0.689. Secondary analysis showed a significant interaction term between sex and intervention assignment (β = -1.197, P = 0.027). The interaction suggested CBT-TS was effective in men (22% vs 13%), although the evidence was somewhat weak (P = 0.071), and it was not effective in women (17% vs 24%). CONCLUSIONS A one-session cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention to increase treatment seeking in treatment naïve adults with severe alcohol use disorder did not increase treatment seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth R Conner
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Stephen A Maisto
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Beau Abar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sarah Szafranski
- College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew Chiang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Morica Hutchison
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Aileen Aldalur
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Tracy Stecker
- College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Song M, Song YM. The Effect of Shared Decision-Making by Mental Health Nurses on Medication Adherence in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorders: Provider-Patient Communication Pathway Model. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2023; 28:777-788. [PMID: 37823392 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2023.2268561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The involvement of patients with mental health issues in their own treatment decision-making has often been overlooked. This study aimed to investigate the impact of shared decision-making between mental health nurses and patients with alcohol use disorders (AUD) on medication adherence. The provider-patient communication pathway model was utilized to examine the ways in which therapeutic communication strategies employed by mental health nurses positively influence medication adherence. The study employed a percentile bootstrap method and pairwise comparison tests in structural equation modeling. The results revealed that shared decision-making between AUD patients and mental health nurses directly enhanced medication adherence, as well as indirectly influenced adherence through the mediating factors of therapeutic alliance and alcohol abstinence self-efficacy. These findings hold both theoretical and practical implications for involving patients with AUD in therapeutic decision-making within psychiatric and mental health nursing settings, as well as for improving medication adherence among this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- MoonJU Song
- Division of Admission Management and Policy Development, National Center for Mental Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yul-Mai Song
- Department of Nursing, Honam University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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Lee H, Singh GK. Racial and ethnic disparities in monthly trends in alcohol-induced mortality among US adults from January 2018 through December 2021. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2023; 49:450-457. [PMID: 37340545 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2208728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Background: Historically, American Indians/Alaska Natives (AIANs), Blacks, and Hispanics have experienced higher alcohol-induced mortality rates. Given a disproportionate surge in unemployment rate and financial strain among racial and ethnic minorities and limited access to alcohol use disorder treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to examine monthly trends in alcohol-induced mortality in the United States during the pandemic.Objectives: This study estimates changes in monthly alcohol-induced mortality among US adults by age, sex, and race/ethnicity.Methods: Using monthly deaths from 2018-2021 national mortality files (N = 178,201 deaths, 71.5% male, 28.5% female) and census-based monthly population estimates, we calculated age-specific monthly alcohol-induced death rates and performed log-linear regression to derive monthly percent increases in mortality rates.Results: Alcohol-induced deaths among adults aged ≥25 years increased by 25.7% between 2019 (38,868 deaths) and 2020 (48,872 deaths). During 2018-2021, the estimated monthly percent change was higher for females (1.1% per month) than males (1.0%), and highest for AIANs (1.4%), followed by Blacks (1.2%), Hispanics (1.0%), non-Hispanic Whites (1.0%), and Asians (0.8%). In particular, between February 2020 and January 2021, alcohol-induced mortality increased by 43% for males, 53% for females, 107% for AIANs, the largest increase, followed by Blacks (58%), Hispanics (56%), Asians (44%), and non-Hispanic Whites (39%).Conclusions: During the peak months of the pandemic, the rising trends in alcohol-induced mortality differed substantially by race and ethnicity. Our findings indicate that behavioral and policy interventions and future investigation on underlying mechanisms should be considered to reduce alcohol-induced mortality among Blacks and AIANs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjung Lee
- Department of Public Policy and Public Affairs, John McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gopal K Singh
- The Center for Global Health and Health Policy, Global Health and Education Projects, Inc., Riverdale, MD, USA
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Hallgren KA, Galloway GP, Witkiewitz K, Linde P, Nix B, Mendelson JE. Treatment retention and reductions in blood alcohol concentration (BAC) during the first 90 days of a telehealth program for alcohol use disorder. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2023; 49:249-259. [PMID: 36881813 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2175322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatments, including medications, are increasingly offered via telehealth.Objective: This study characterizes 90-day treatment retention and changes in objectively measured blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in a large cohort receiving AUD telehealth.Methods: Patients received AUD treatment through Ria, a virtual (telehealth) program offering AUD treatment that is tailored to patient goals (e.g. abstinence or controlled drinking). Patients were encouraged to complete breathalyzer readings twice daily for measurement-based care. We characterized rates of 90-day treatment retention (i.e. completing a BAC reading or medical/coaching encounter on the 90th day or later) and used growth curve analyses to model changes in daily estimated peak BAC over 90 days.Results: Of 4121 patients (51.5% women), 50.1% had 90-day treatment retention (n = 2066, 52.2% women). Most patients received prescriptions for AUD medications (84.6%) and completed encounters with medical providers (86.7%) and coaches (86.1%). Patients with 90-day retention provided 184,817 BAC readings in the first 90 days. Growth curve analyses revealed significant reductions in daily estimated peak BAC (p < .001) from a mean of 0.092 (day 1) to 0.038 (day 90). Similar magnitudes of BAC reduction were observed for men and women and for patients with abstinence and controlled drinking goals.Conclusion: Telehealth appears to be a viable approach to delivering AUD treatments in a manner that promotes drinking reductions. Telehealth approaches can yield reductions in objectively measured BAC, including for some patient subgroups that have historically faced greater stigma in AUD treatment settings, such as women and people with non-abstinence drinking goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Hallgren
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | | | - Katie Witkiewitz
- Department of Psychology and Center on Alcohol, Substance Use, And Addictions, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Bob Nix
- Ria Health, San Francisco, CA
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Abstract
Telemental health-the use of videoconferencing or audio only (telephone) in mental health care-has accelerated tremendously since the start of the covid-19 pandemic. Meta-analyses have examined the reliability (ie, concordance) of assessment and the efficacy/effectiveness of telemental health compared with in-person care. Results indicate that telemental health assessment and clinical outcomes are similar compared with in-person care but there is much unexplained variability, as well as evidence that patient clinical and demographic characteristics can influence these findings. Further, gaps exist in the literature regarding specific patient populations (eg, psychotic disorders, children/adolescents), treatment modalities (eg, group therapy), audio only telemedicine, and hybrid care that mixes in-person with telemental health care. These gaps provide important directions for the next generation of telemental health research. Comprehensive clinical guidelines from mental health organizations are available to telemental health practitioners and focus on five content themes: legal and regulatory issues, clinical considerations, standard operating procedures and protocols, technical requirements, and considerations of specific populations and settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alisa B Busch
- McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA
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