Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Use of a Telemedicine Bridge Clinic to Engage Patients in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment.
Lynch, Michael J; Houck, Patty; Meyers, Jessica; Schuster, James; Yealy, Donald M.
  • Lynch MJ; From the UPMC Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (MJL, DMY); UPMC Health Plan, Pittsburgh, PA (MJL, PH, JM, JS).
J Addict Med ; 16(5): 584-587, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2051580
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

We aimed to assess the feasibility of using a telemedicine bridge clinic model as a low-barrier mechanism to initiate patients on medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) while facilitating engagement in long-term treatment.

METHODS:

We established a telemedicine bridge clinic after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration temporarily suspended regulations limiting initial treatment of patients with buprenorphine via both audiovisual and audio-only technology during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The rate of engagement in medication treatment for opioid use disorder MOUD based upon review of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program is described. Referral sources, technology utilization, and payer mix are also presented.

RESULTS:

The Bridge Clinic scheduled 208 new patient visits and physicians evaluated 200, a show rate of 96% from April 2020 to July 2021. Of the 200 patients who were treated, 192 (96%) were diagnosed with opioid use disorder. Most patients (159/200, 79%) scheduled audio-only visits. At least 1 prescription for buprenorphine was filled by 185/192 (96%) of opioid use disorder patients within 30 days of the telemedicine visit and 147/192 (77%) of patients filled 2 or more prescriptions. Most patients were covered by Medicaid (62%) or were uninsured (19%). There was no significant difference in outcomes for patients evaluated by audio-only vs. audiovisual techniques.

CONCLUSION:

A Bridge Clinic using audiovisual and audio-only telemedicine served a high-risk, vulnerable population and facilitated engagement in evidence-based MOUD.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Buprenorphine / Telemedicine / Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs / COVID-19 / Opioid-Related Disorders Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: J Addict Med Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Buprenorphine / Telemedicine / Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs / COVID-19 / Opioid-Related Disorders Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: J Addict Med Year: 2022 Document Type: Article