Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare access among patients receiving medication for opioid use disorder.
Drug Alcohol Depend
; 221: 108617, 2021 04 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1082129
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered treatment delivery for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) dispensing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). We aimed to identify patterns of substance use among MOUD patients and examine whether COVID-19-related impacts on access to healthcare varied across subgroups.METHODS:
This analysis was embedded within a type 3 hybrid trial that enrolled patients across eight OTPs at the start of the pandemic. Enrolled patients reported on past-30 day use of multiple substances during their baseline assessment. Participants re-contacted in May-July 2020 completed a survey about COVID-19-related impacts on various life domains. Using latent class analysis we identified patient subgroups, and then examined group differences on a set of negative and positive COVID-19 impacts related to healthcare access.RESULTS:
Of the 188 trial participants, 135 (72 %) completed the survey. Latent class analysis identified three MOUD patient subgroups minimal use (class probability 0.25); opioid use (class probability 0.34); and polysubstance use (class probability 0.41). Compared to the minimal use group, the polysubstance use group reported increased substance use and difficulty accessing sterile needles, naloxone, and preferred substance. The opioid use group reported increased substance use and difficulty accessing their preferred substance. There were no significant group differences related to accessing routine or specialized healthcare or medication; or paying attention to their health.CONCLUSIONS:
During COVID-19, many MOUD patients reported challenges accessing care, particularly harm reduction services for patients with polysubstance use. Additional efforts, like providing wraparound support, may be necessary to serve the needs of MOUD patients.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Substance-Related Disorders
/
Opiate Substitution Treatment
/
Latent Class Analysis
/
Health Services Accessibility
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
Drug Alcohol Depend
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.drugalcdep.2021.108617
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