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Ackland PE, Kenny ME, Clothier BA, Salameh HA, Boening N, Gordon AJ, Noorbaloochi S, Gustavson AM, Miller W, Hagedorn HJ. What Contributes to Sustainability? Examining Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Low-Adopting VHA Facilities. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:2647-2654. [PMID: 37037986 PMCID: PMC10088728 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08116-4] [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: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Successful implementation can increase the availability of evidence-based treatments but continued patient access can be threatened if there is not deliberate focus on sustainment. Real-world examples are needed to elucidate contributors to sustainability. OBJECTIVE We examined sustainability of outcomes of a study which tested a 12-month external facilitation intervention. The study evaluated change in access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities in the lowest quartile of MOUD prescribing. DESIGN Convergent mixed-methods design. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-nine providers and leaders from eight VHA facilities. APPROACH Thirty-minute post-implementation telephone interviews explored whether barriers identified pre-implementation were successfully addressed, the presence of any new challenges, helpfulness of external facilitation, and plans for sustaining MOUD access. Interviews were analyzed using a rapid turn-around approach. VHA administrative data were used to characterize the facilities and assess their ratio of patients with an OUD diagnosis receiving MOUD (MOUD/OUD ratio) at the end of a 9-month sustainability period. KEY RESULTS Commonly reported contributors to sustained MOUD access included national attention on the opioid epidemic, accountability created by study participation, culture shift in MOUD acceptability, leadership support, and plans to build on initial progress. Frequently reported barriers included staffing issues and lack of MOUD-devoted time; the need to overhaul existing policies, practices, and/or processes; and fear and anxiety about MOUD prescribing. All facilities either maintained MOUD/OUD ratio improvement (n = 2) or further improved (n = 6) at the end of sustainability. Facilities with the highest and lowest ratio at the end of sustainability used a team-based approach to MOUD delivery; however, organizational setting differences may have impacted overall MOUD access. CONCLUSIONS Ensuring stable and consistent staff, and sufficient time dedicated to MOUD are critical to sustaining access to evidence-based treatment in low-adopting facilities. This study highlights the importance of investing in local, system-level changes to improve and sustain access to effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Princess E Ackland
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Marie E Kenny
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Barbara A Clothier
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Hope A Salameh
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Natassia Boening
- ORD Strategic Initiative for Research and EHR Synergy (OSIRES), Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS), VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Siamak Noorbaloochi
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Allison M Gustavson
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Wendy Miller
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Hildi J Hagedorn
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Centers of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, Puget Sound VAHCS/Philadelphia VAHCS, Seattle, WA, USA
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Lott AM, Danner AN, Malte CA, Williams EC, Gordon AJ, Halvorson MA, Saxon AJ, Hagedorn HJ, Sayre GG, Hawkins EJ. Clinician Perspectives on Delivering Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Evaluation. J Addict Med 2023; 17:e262-e268. [PMID: 37579107 PMCID: PMC10417321 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic necessitated changes in opioid use disorder care. Little is known about COVID-19's impact on general healthcare clinicians' experiences providing medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD). This qualitative evaluation assessed clinicians' beliefs about and experiences delivering MOUD in general healthcare clinics during COVID-19. METHODS Individual semistructured interviews were conducted May through December 2020 with clinicians participating in a Department of Veterans Affairs initiative to implement MOUD in general healthcare clinics. Participants included 30 clinicians from 21 clinics (9 primary care, 10 pain, and 2 mental health). Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS The following 4 themes were identified: overall impact of the pandemic on MOUD care and patient well-being, features of MOUD care impacted, MOUD care delivery, and continuance of telehealth for MOUD care. Clinicians reported a rapid shift to telehealth care, resulting in few changes to patient assessments, MOUD initiations, and access to and quality of care. Although technological challenges were noted, clinicians highlighted positive experiences, including treatment destigmatization, more timely visits, and insight into patients' environments. Such changes resulted in more relaxed clinical interactions and improved clinic efficiency. Clinicians reported a preference for in-person and telehealth hybrid care models. CONCLUSIONS After the quick shift to telehealth-based MOUD delivery, general healthcare clinicians reported few impacts on quality of care and highlighted several benefits that may address common barriers to MOUD care. Evaluations of in-person and telehealth hybrid care models, clinical outcomes, equity, and patient perspectives are needed to inform MOUD services moving forward.
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Parker DG, Zentner D, Burack JA, Wendt DC. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medications for opioid use disorder services in the U.S. and Canada: a scoping review. DRUGS: EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND POLICY 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2023.2181147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G. Parker
- Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Daysi Zentner
- Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jacob A. Burack
- Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dennis C. Wendt
- Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Stein BD, Landis RK, Sheng F, Saloner B, Gordon AJ, Sorbero M, Dick AW. Buprenorphine Treatment Episodes During the First Year of COVID: a Retrospective Examination of Treatment Initiation and Retention. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:733-737. [PMID: 36474004 PMCID: PMC9734477 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07891-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID pandemic, overall buprenorphine treatment appeared to remain relatively stable, despite some studies suggesting a decrease in patients starting buprenorphine. There is a paucity of empirical information regarding patterns of buprenorphine treatment during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE To better understand the patterns of buprenorphine episodes during the pandemic and how those patterns compared to pre-pandemic patterns. DESIGN Pharmacy claims representing approximately 92% of all prescriptions filled at retail pharmacies in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. PARTICIPANTS Individuals filling buprenorphine prescriptions indicated for treatment of opioid use disorder. MAIN MEASURES The number of active, starting, and ending buprenorphine treatment episodes March 13 to December 1, 2020, and the expected number of such episodes in 2020 based on the growth in treatment episodes from March 13 to December 1, 2019. KEY RESULTS The observed number of active buprenorphine episodes in December 2020 was comparable to the expected number, but new treatment episodes starting between March 13 and December 1, 2020, were 17.2% fewer than expected based on the 2019 experience. Similarly, the number of episodes that ended between March 13 and December 1, 2020, was 16.0% fewer than expected. Decreases from expected episode starts and ends occurred throughout the period but were greatest in the 2 months after the declaration of the public health emergency. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Beneath the apparent stability of buprenorphine patient numbers during the pandemic, the flow of individuals receiving buprenorphine treatment changed substantially. Our findings shed light on how policy changes meant to support buprenorphine prescribing influenced prescribing dynamics during that period, suggesting that while policy efforts may have been successful in maintaining existing patients in treatment, that success did not extend to individuals not yet in treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley D Stein
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
| | - Rachel K Landis
- George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy, Washington, DC, USA.,RAND Corporation, Arlington, VA, USA
| | | | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System and University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Mark Sorbero
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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Livingston NA, Davenport M, Head M, Henke R, LeBeau LS, Gibson TB, Banducci AN, Sarpong A, Jayanthi S, Roth C, Camacho-Cook J, Meng F, Hyde J, Mulvaney-Day N, White M, Chen DC, Stein MD, Weisberg R. The impact of COVID-19 and rapid policy exemptions expanding on access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD): A nationwide Veterans Health Administration cohort study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 241:109678. [PMID: 36368167 PMCID: PMC9624112 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In March 2020, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) enacted policies to expand treatment for Veterans with opioid use disorder (OUD) during COVID-19. In this study, we evaluate whether COVID-19 and subsequent OUD treatment policies impacted receipt of therapy/counseling and medication for OUD (MOUD). METHODS Using VHA's nationwide electronic health record data, we compared outcomes between a comparison cohort derived using data from prior to COVID-19 (October 2017-December 2019) and a pandemic-exposed cohort (January 2019-March 2021). Primary outcomes included receipt of therapy/counseling or any MOUD (any/none); secondary outcomes included the number of therapy/counseling sessions attended, and the average percentage of days covered (PDC) by, and months prescribed, each MOUD in a year. RESULTS Veterans were less likely to receive therapy/counseling over time, especially post-pandemic onset, and despite substantial increases in teletherapy. The likelihood of receiving buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone was reduced post-pandemic onset. PDC on MOUD generally decreased over time, especially methadone PDC post-pandemic onset, whereas buprenorphine PDC was less impacted during COVID-19. The number of months prescribed methadone and buprenorphine represented relative improvements compared to prior years. We observed important disparities across Veteran demographics. CONCLUSION Receipt of treatment was negatively impacted during the pandemic. However, there was some evidence that coverage on methadone and buprenorphine may have improved among some veterans who received them. These medication effects are consistent with expected COVID-19 treatment disruptions, while improvements regarding access to therapy/counseling via telehealth, as well as coverage on MOUD during the pandemic, are consistent with the aims of MOUD policy exemptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Livingston
- National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Sciences Division, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA,US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA,Correspondence to: National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Michael Davenport
- Data Science Core, Boston CSPCC, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Anne N. Banducci
- US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA,National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Clara Roth
- Boston VA Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Frank Meng
- Data Science Core, Boston CSPCC, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Justeen Hyde
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Bedford, MA, USA,General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Norah Mulvaney-Day
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Daniel C. Chen
- Data Science Core, Boston CSPCC, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA,General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael D. Stein
- Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, MA, USA
| | - Risa Weisberg
- US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Family Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,BehaVR, Inc, Elizabethtown, KY, USA
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6
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Roles and Perceptions of Nurses During Implementation of a Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder National Initiative. J Addict Nurs 2022; 33:70-79. [PMID: 35640210 DOI: 10.1097/jan.0000000000000455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, a national priority exists to improve access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Nurses can be an essential component of that care. We examined the perceptions and evolving roles of nurses in a national Veterans Health Administration (VHA) initiative designed to improve MOUD access within general medical settings. METHODS From April 15, 2021, to June 16, 2021, we recruited nurses participating in VHA's Stepped Care for Opioid Use Disorder Train the Trainer Initiative-a national program intending to implement MOUD in general medical settings-to participate in an interview about their roles, perceptions, and experiences. The respondents answered our inquiries through an interview or responded to an email solicitation with written responses, which were then recorded, transcribed, and independently coded to identify themes. RESULTS Nurses from 10 VHA facilities participated in an interview (n = 7) or completed the questionnaire (n = 4). Inadequate staffing, high patient-to-provider ratios, and time constraints were identified as barriers to MOUD care. Mentorship activities, existing VHA informational resources, and patients' willingness to accept treatment were identified as facilitators of MOUD care. The Stepped Care for Opioid Use Disorder Train the Trainer Initiative processes were acknowledged to promote role confidence, which in turn increased job satisfaction and empowered nurses to become content experts. Respondents often identified nurses as local lead facilitators in MOUD care. CONCLUSIONS In a national initiative to implement MOUD within general medical settings, nurses identified several barriers and facilitators to MOUD implementation. Nurses play vital collaborative care roles in enhancing access to MOUD.
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7
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Gordon AJ, Kenny M, Dungan M, Gustavson AM, Taylor Kelley A, Jones AL, Hawkins E, Frank JW, Danner A, Liberto J, Hagedorn H. Are x-waiver trainings enough? Facilitators and barriers to buprenorphine prescribing after x-waiver trainings. Am J Addict 2022; 31:152-158. [PMID: 35118756 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, an x-waiver credential is necessary to prescribe buprenorphine medication treatment for opioid use disorder (B-MOUD). Historically, this process has required certified training, which could be a barrier to obtaining an x-waiver and subsequently prescribing. To address this barrier, the US recently removed the training requirement for some clinicians. We sought to determine if clinicians who attended x-waiver training went on to obtain an x-waiver and prescribe B-MOUD, and to examine what facilitated or impeded B-MOUD prescribing. METHODS In September 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional, electronic survey of attendees of 15 in-person x-waiver pieces of training from June 2018 to January 2020 within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Of the attendees (n = 321), we surveyed current VHA clinicians who recalled taking the training. The survey assessed whether clinicians obtained the x-waiver, had prescribed B-MOUD, and barriers or facilitators that influenced B-MOUD prescribing. RESULTS Of 251 eligible participants, 62 (24.7%) responded to the survey, including 27 (43.5%) physicians, 16 (25.8%) advanced practice clinicians, and 12 (19.4%) pharmacists. Of the 43 clinicians who could prescribe, 29 (67.4%) had obtained their x-waiver and 16 (37.2%) had reported prescribing B-MOUD. Prominent barriers to prescribing B-MOUD included a lack of supporting clinical staff and competing demands on time. The primary facilitator to prescribing was leadership support. CONCLUSIONS Nine months after x-waiver training, two-thirds of clinicians with prescribing credentials had obtained their x-waiver and one-third were prescribing B-MOUD. Removing the x-waiver training may not have the intended policy effect as other barriers to B-MOUD prescribing persist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Gordon
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Marie Kenny
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Matthew Dungan
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Allison M Gustavson
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - A Taylor Kelley
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Audrey L Jones
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Vulnerable Veteran Innovative PACT (VIP) Initiative, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Eric Hawkins
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joseph W Frank
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Anissa Danner
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joseph Liberto
- Veterans Health Administration's Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Substance Use Disorders, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Hildi Hagedorn
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Joudrey PJ, Bart G, Brooner RK, Brown L, Dickson-Gomez J, Gordon A, Kawasaki SS, Liebschutz JM, Nunes E, McCarty D, Schwartz RP, Szapocnik J, Trivedi M, Tsui JI, Williams A, Wu LT, Fiellin DA. Research priorities for expanding access to methadone treatment for opioid use disorder in the United States: A National Institute on Drug Abuse Center for Clinical Trials Network Task Force report. Subst Abus 2021; 42:245-254. [PMID: 34606426 PMCID: PMC8790761 DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.1975344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In the US, methadone treatment can only be provided to patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) through federal and state-regulated opioid treatment programs (OTPs). There is a shortage of OTPs, and racial and geographic inequities exist in access to methadone treatment. The National Institute on Drug Abuse Center for Clinical Trials Network convened the Methadone Access Research Task Force to develop a research agenda to expand and create more equitable access to methadone treatment for OUD. This research agenda included mechanisms that are available within and outside the current regulations. The task force identified 6 areas where research is needed: (1) access to methadone in general medical and other outpatient settings; (2) the impact of methadone treatment setting on patient outcomes; (3) impact of treatment structure on outcomes in patients receiving methadone; (4) comparative effectiveness of different medications to treat OUD; (5) optimal educational and support structure for provision of methadone by medical providers; and (6) benefits and harms of expanded methadone access. In addition to outlining these research priorities, the task force identified important cross-cutting issues, including the impact of patient characteristics, treatment, and treatment system characteristics such as methadone formulation and dose, concurrent behavioral treatment, frequency of dispensing, urine or oral fluid testing, and methods of measuring clinical outcomes. Together, the research priorities and cross-cutting issues represent a compelling research agenda to expand access to methadone in the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. Joudrey
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Gavin Bart
- Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Robert K. Brooner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lawrence Brown
- START Treatment and Recovery Centers, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Julie Dickson-Gomez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Adam Gordon
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Sarah S. Kawasaki
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Penn State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jane M. Liebschutz
- Center for Research on Health Care, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Edward Nunes
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dennis McCarty
- Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | | | - José Szapocnik
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - Madhukar Trivedi
- Division of Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Judith I. Tsui
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Arthur Williams
- Division on Substance Use Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Li-Tzy Wu
- Department of Medicine and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - David A. Fiellin
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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