TY - JOUR
AU - M. C. Lira
AU - C. Jimes
AU - M. J. Coffey
A1 - 
AB - Introduction: There are limited studies to date on telemedicine treatment outcomes for opioid use disorder (OUD) among rural populations. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of rural adults enrolled in telemedicine OUD treatment. Study outcomes were percent retained in care and adherence to buprenorphine assessed by urine drug screens at 1, 3, and 6 months. Results: From April 1, 2020, through January 31, 2022, 1,816 rural patients across 14 states attended an initial telemedicine visit and received a clinical diagnosis of OUD. Participants had the following characteristics: mean age 37.7 years (±8.6); 52.4% female; and 66.7% Medicaid. At 1, 3, and 6 months, 74.8%, 61.5%, and 52.3% of participants were retained in care, and 69.0%, 56.0%, and 49.2% of participants were adherent, respectively. Conclusions: Telemedicine is an effective approach for treating OUD in rural populations, with retention comparable to in-person treatment.
AD - Workit Labs, Workit Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.;Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA.
AN - 37184856
BT - Telemed J E Health
C5 - Opioids & Substance Use; Healthcare Disparities; HIT & Telehealth; Financing & Sustainability
DA - May 15
DO - 10.1089/tmj.2023.0044
DP - NLM
ET - 20230515
JF - Telemed J E Health
LA - eng
N2 - Introduction: There are limited studies to date on telemedicine treatment outcomes for opioid use disorder (OUD) among rural populations. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of rural adults enrolled in telemedicine OUD treatment. Study outcomes were percent retained in care and adherence to buprenorphine assessed by urine drug screens at 1, 3, and 6 months. Results: From April 1, 2020, through January 31, 2022, 1,816 rural patients across 14 states attended an initial telemedicine visit and received a clinical diagnosis of OUD. Participants had the following characteristics: mean age 37.7 years (±8.6); 52.4% female; and 66.7% Medicaid. At 1, 3, and 6 months, 74.8%, 61.5%, and 52.3% of participants were retained in care, and 69.0%, 56.0%, and 49.2% of participants were adherent, respectively. Conclusions: Telemedicine is an effective approach for treating OUD in rural populations, with retention comparable to in-person treatment.
PY - 2023
SN - 1530-5627
ST - Retention in Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Among Rural Populations: A Retrospective Cohort Study
T1 - Retention in Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Among Rural Populations: A Retrospective Cohort Study
T2 - Telemed J E Health
TI - Retention in Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Among Rural Populations: A Retrospective Cohort Study
U1 - Opioids & Substance Use; Healthcare Disparities; HIT & Telehealth; Financing & Sustainability
U3 - 10.1089/tmj.2023.0044
VO - 1530-5627
Y1 - 2023
ER -