ABSTRACT
Longstanding disparities in substance use disorders and treatment access exist among American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Computerized, web-delivered interventions have potential to increase access to quality treatment and improve patient outcomes. Prior research supports the efficacy of a web-based version [therapeutic education system (TES)] of the community reinforcement approach to improve outcomes among outpatients in substance abuse treatment; however, TES has not been tested among AI/AN. The results from this mixed method acceptability study among a diverse sample of urban AI/AN (N = 40) show that TES was acceptable across seven indices (range 7.8-9.4 on 0-10 scales with 10 indicating highest acceptability). Qualitative interviews suggest adaptation specific to AI/AN culture could improve adoption. Additional efforts to adapt TES and conduct a larger effectiveness study are warranted.
Subject(s)
Indians, North American/psychology , Internet , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/ethnology , Substance-Related Disorders/therapy , Therapy, Computer-Assisted/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Alaska , Female , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Linear Models , Male , Middle Aged , Qualitative Research , Substance-Related Disorders/ethnology , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This prospective study assessed the impacts of a policy change to Oregon's Medicaid program (Oregon Health Plan; OHP) that eliminated methadone benefits for 60 percent of active methadone patients. Recipients of OHP Standard (expanded Medicaid benefits, which were discontinued after the policy change) self-selected into two groups: those who paid for methadone after the policy change and those who terminated treatment. OHP Plus beneficiaries (traditional Medicaid) did not lose benefits. METHODS: A total of 149 patients participated in the study, and interviews were conducted at baseline (time of policy change) and one, three, and 12 months after the policy change. Patients were assessed with the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), Timeline Follow Back assessment, and chart review. RESULTS: Patients who left treatment because they were unable to pay for methadone services showed significant elevations in ASI composite scores for drug and legal problems at baseline and at two and three months after the policy change. The patients who attempted to self-pay experienced significantly more employment problems than the other two groups. The OHP Standard recipients who paid for their methadone treatment over the year were more likely to have additional resources to pay for methadone, be employed, and have stable housing. CONCLUSIONS: The elimination of methadone treatment benefits in the OHP had substantial negative impacts for patients with the greatest indicators of need.
