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Jehan S, Zahnd WE, Wooten NR, Seay KD. Geographic variation in availability of opioid treatment programs across U.S. communities. J Addict Dis 2024; 42:136-146. [PMID: 36645315 DOI: 10.1080/10550887.2023.2165869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Methadone for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) treatment is only dispensed at Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs). Little is known about the geographic variation in OTP availability and community characteristics associated with the availability across smaller geographic communities in the U.S. To (1) describe geographic distribution of OTPs and (2) examine OTP availability by community characteristics in the contiguous U.S. at Zip Code Area Tabulation (ZCTA) level. Logistic regression was used to examine community characteristics associated with OTP availability (N = 30,367). Chi-square and t-tests were conducted to examine statistically significant differences in OTP availability. Maps and descriptive statistics were used to examine geographic variation in OTP availability. Only 5% (1,417) of ZCTAs had at least one OTP for a total of 1,682 OTPs. Rural ZCTAs had 50% lower odds of having an OTP compared to urban ZCTAs [AOR 0.5; (95% CI: 0.41-0.60)]. ZCTAs in the lowest income quartile had higher odds of having an OTP compared to ZCTAs in the highest income quartile [AOR 3.4; (95% CI: 2.71-4.18)]. Further, ZCTAs with OTPs had a higher proportion of minority residents [Black: 17.5% vs. 7.2%; Hispanic: 19.2% vs. 9%] and a lower proportion of White residents [55.1% vs. 78.2%]. Nationally, OTPs are extremely scarce with notable regional and urban-rural disparities. Potential solutions to address these disparities are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Jehan
- College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Whitney E Zahnd
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Nikki R Wooten
- College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Kristen D Seay
- College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
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Calcaterra SL, Dafoe A, Tietbohl C, Thurman L, Bredenberg E. Unintended consequences of methadone regulation for opioid use disorder treatment among hospitalized patients. J Hosp Med 2024. [PMID: 38507276 DOI: 10.1002/jhm.13329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, there are no federal restrictions on the use of methadone to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms when patients are hospitalized with a medical or surgical condition other than addiction. In contrast, in an outpatient setting, methadone for opioid use disorder (OUD) is highly regulated by federal and state governments and can only be dispensed from an opioid treatment program (OTP). Discrepancies in regulatory requirements across these settings may lead to barriers in care for patients with OUD. OBJECTIVE Identify how methadone regulation impacts the care of patients with OUD during hospitalization, care transitions, and in the OTP setting. METHODS We completed 26 interviews with clinicians and social workers working on hospital-based addiction consultation services across the United States. Study findings are the result of a secondary content analysis of interviews to identifying the word "methadone" and construct themes resulting from the data. RESULTS We identified three major themes related to "methadone" for OUD treatment, all of which impacted patient care: (1) limited OTP hours leads to tenuous or delayed hospital discharges; (2) inadequate information-sharing between hospitals and OTPs leads to delays in care; and (3) methadone regulations create treatment barriers for the most vulnerable patients. CONCLUSION Strict methadone regulations have resulted in unintended consequences for patients with OUD in the hospital setting, during care transitions, and in the OTP setting. Recent and ongoing federal efforts to reform methadone provision may improve some of the reported challenges, but significant hurdles remain in providing safe, equitable care to hospitalized patients with OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Calcaterra
- Division of Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Adult and Child Center for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Coloroda, USA
| | - Ashley Dafoe
- Adult and Child Center for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Coloroda, USA
| | - Caroline Tietbohl
- Adult and Child Center for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Coloroda, USA
| | - Lindsay Thurman
- Division of Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Erin Bredenberg
- Division of Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Han BH, Orozco MA, Miyoshi M, Doland H, Moore AA, Jones KF. Experiences of Aging with Opioid Use Disorder and Comorbidity in Opioid Treatment Programs: A Qualitative Analysis. J Gen Intern Med 2024:10.1007/s11606-024-08676-z. [PMID: 38436883 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-024-08676-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of older adults entering opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) is increasing. However, the lived experiences of aging in OTPs have not been examined. OBJECTIVE To explore the aging experience with OUD and barriers to medical care for older adults who receive care in OTPs. DESIGN From November 2021 to July 2022, we conducted 1-to-1, semi-structured qualitative interviews in English and Spanish, audio-recorded, transcribed, systematically coded, and analyzed to identify key themes regarding the challenges of aging with OUD and managing chronic diseases. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-six adults aged ≥ 55 enrolled in OTPs in San Diego, California. APPROACH A descriptive qualitative approach was used. Major themes and subthemes were identified through thematic analysis until thematic saturation was reached. KEY RESULTS All participants were on methadone and had a mean age of 63.4 (SD 5.1) years; 11 (30.6%) identified as female, 14 (39%) as Hispanic/Latino, and 11 (36%) as Black, with a mean duration of methadone treatment of 5.6 years. Chronic diseases were common, with 21 (58.3%) reporting hypertension, 9 (25%) reporting untreated hepatitis C, and 32 (88.9%) having ≥ 2 chronic diseases. Three major themes emerged: (1) avoidance of medical care due to multiple intersectional stigmas, including those related to drug use, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, ageism, and housing insecurity; (2) increasing isolation with aging and loss of family and peer groups; (3) the urgent need for integrating medical and aging-focused care with OUD treatment in the setting of increasing health and functional challenges. CONCLUSIONS Older adults with OUD reported increasing social isolation and declining health while experiencing multilevel stigma and discrimination. The US healthcare system must transform to deliver age-friendly care that integrates evidence-based geriatric models of care incorporated with substance use disorder treatment and addresses the intersectional stigma this population has experienced in healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin H Han
- Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Mirella A Orozco
- Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mari Miyoshi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Heidi Doland
- Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alison A Moore
- Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Katie Fitzgerald Jones
- New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Healthcare System, Jamaica Plain, MA, USA
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Sharareh N, Zheutlin AR, Qato DM, Guadamuz J, Bress A, Vos RO. Access to community pharmacies based on drive time and by rurality across the contiguous United States. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2024; 64:476-482. [PMID: 38215823 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considering that mail-order pharmacy use remains low in the United States, geographic accessibility of community pharmacies (pharmacy access) can have an outsized impact on a community's access to services and care, especially among rural residents. However, previous measurements of pharmacy access rely on methods that do not capture all aspects of geographic access. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to measure pharmacy access across the contiguous United States and by rural, suburban, and urban areas using drive-time analysis and an improved methodological approach. METHODS The 2-step floating catchment area method was used to measure pharmacy access by considering the supply capacity of pharmacies, population demand for pharmacies, and the interaction between them within a reasonable travel time range. This method is a methodologically improved approach compared with previous methods for measuring geographic access. Network analysis was used to measure drive time from the population-weighted centroids of census tracts to the geocoded location of community pharmacies. Census tract-level pharmacy access was measured using a 10- and 20-minute drive time. Census tracts were also categorized based on population per square mile as rural (< 1000), suburban (1000-3000), and urban (> 3000). RESULTS Across the contiguous United States, 79.9% and 91.1% of census tracts had access to at least 1 pharmacy per 10,000 people within a 10- and 20-minute drive time, respectively. Rural census tracts had the lowest share of access to at least 1 pharmacy per 10,000 people compared with suburban and urban tracts and for both drive times. CONCLUSION Community pharmacies are highly accessible health care access points, specifically in urban and suburban areas. Pharmacies should be considered to expand access to services with limited geographic accessibility such as treatment programs for opioid use disorders, primary care, and healthy foods.
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Kim J, Lee J, Thornhill TA, Dennett J, Lu H, Howell B, Grau LE, Fiellin DA, Heimer R, Gonsalves G. Accessibility of Opioid Treatment Programs Based on Conventional vs Perceived Travel Time Measures. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e240209. [PMID: 38376839 PMCID: PMC10879949 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Transportation barriers have long been associated with poorer health outcomes; this burden is especially acute for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), a chronic disease often associated with low socioeconomic status. Conventional travel time analyses may not fully account for experiential components of travel, thereby understating the true travel burden and overstating treatment accessibility to opioid treatment programs (OTPs). Objective To develop a metric of feels-like accessibility for those using public transit to access OTPs that accounts for the realistic travel burden on individuals with OUD. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study integrated high-resolution transit schedules and operating hours of OTPs to measure feels-like accessibility. Feels-like accessibility considers the differential outcomes of out-of-vehicle travel components and more realistically reflects individuals' transportation burden than conventional accessibility measures. Gini indices and spatial regression models were used to investigate inequities in accessibility. Geocoded data for residential addresses of 1018 overdose fatalities in Connecticut in 2019 were used as a proxy for the treatment needs of individuals with OUD. Data were analyzed between May and August 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures Conventional and feels-like accessibility scores. Exposures Fluctuations in public transit frequencies over the course of the day and the limited operating hours of the OTPs. Results Of the 1018 individuals in the study, the mean (SD) age at death was 43.7 (12.6) years, 784 individuals (77%) were men, 111 (11%) were African American, and 889 (87%) were White, with other racial and ethnic categories including 18 individuals (2%). A total of 264 individuals in the sample (26%) could not access an OTP within 180 minutes. For those who could access these facilities, the average 1-way travel time was 45.6 minutes, with individuals spending approximately 70% of their trip duration on out-of-vehicle travel components. The conventional accessibility metric underestimates individuals' travel burden to OTPs as well as the inequity in accessibility compared with the feels-like accessibility metric. For example, the median (range) conventional accessibility score, defined as the number of OTPs within 120 minutes of transit travel time, was 5.0 (0.0-17.0); the median (range) feels-like accessibility score, defined as the number of OTPs within 120 minutes of transit travel time weighted to account for in- and out-of-vehicle segments, was 1.0 (0.0-10.0). There is a considerable temporal variation in travel time and accessibility depending on the departure times. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study of travel burdens, the calculated feels-like accessibility scores, which consider the differential outcomes of out-of-vehicle travel components (eg, walking and waiting), could better and more realistically reflect passengers' transportation burden. Policy recommendations derived from the conventional accessibility metric could be misleading, and decision-makers should use feels-like accessibility metrics that adequately capture individuals' travel burdens. In the context of access to OTPs, the findings from this study suggest that opening new OTP sites to address gaps in access due to distance to services or extending hours of operation at existing sites may ameliorate the travel burden for individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junghwan Kim
- Department of Geography, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
| | - Jinhyung Lee
- Department of Geography and Environment, Faculty of Social Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas A. Thornhill
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Public Health Modeling Unit, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Julia Dennett
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Public Health Modeling Unit, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Haidong Lu
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Public Health Modeling Unit, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Departments of Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Benjamin Howell
- Departments of Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Lauretta E. Grau
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - David A. Fiellin
- Departments of Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Robert Heimer
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Gregg Gonsalves
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Public Health Modeling Unit, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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Calcaterra SL, Saunders S, Grimm E, Maki-Gianani E, Keniston A, Wold A, Bonaguidi A. In-Hospital Methadone Enrollment: a Novel Program to Facilitate Linkage from the Hospital to the Opioid Treatment Program for Vulnerable Patients with Opioid Use Disorder. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:385-392. [PMID: 37715094 PMCID: PMC10897082 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08411-0] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Methadone ameliorates opioid withdrawal among hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). To continue methadone after hospital discharge, patients must enroll in an opioid treatment program (OTP) per federal regulations. Uncontrolled opioid withdrawal is a barrier to linkage from hospital to OTP. AIM Describe a federally compliant In-Hospital Methadone Enrollment Team (IN-MEET) that enrolls hospitalized patients with OUD into an OTP with facilitated hospital to OTP linkage. SETTING Seven hundred-bed university hospital in Aurora, CO. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION A physician dually affiliated with a hospital's addiction consultation service and a community OTP completes an in-hospital, face-to-face medical assessment required by federal law and titrates methadone to comfort. An OTP-affiliated nurse with hospital privileges completes a psychosocial evaluation and provides case management by arranging transportation and providing weekly telephone check-ins. PROGRAM EVALUATION METRICS IN-MEET enrollments completed, hospital to OTP linkage, and descriptive characteristics of patients who completed IN-MEET enrollments compared to patients who completed community OTP enrollments. RESULTS Between April 2019 and April 2023, our team completed 165 IN-MEET enrollments. Among a subset of 73 IN-MEET patients, 56 (76.7%) presented to the OTP following hospital discharge. Compared to community OTP enrolled patients (n = 1687), a higher percentage of IN-MEET patients were older (39.7 years, standard deviation [SD] 11.2 years vs. 36.1 years, SD 10.6 years) and were unhoused (n = 43, 58.9% vs. n = 199, 11.8%). Compared to community OTP enrolled patients, a higher percentage of IN-MEET patients reported heroin or fentanyl as their primary substance (n = 53, 72.6% vs. n = 677, 40.1%), reported methamphetamine as their secondary substance (n = 27, 37.0% vs. n = 380, 22.5%), and reported they injected their primary substance (n = 46, 63.0% vs. n = 478, 28.3%). CONCLUSION IN-MEET facilitates hospital to OTP linkage among a vulnerable population. This model has the potential to improve methadone access for hospitalized patients who may not otherwise seek out treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Calcaterra
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Scott Saunders
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Eric Grimm
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Angela Keniston
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Angi Wold
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Angela Bonaguidi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
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Amiri S, Panwala V, Amram O. Disparities in access to opioid treatment programs and buprenorphine providers by race and ethnicity in the contiguous U.S. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 156:209193. [PMID: 37890620 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of drug overdose mortality varies by race and ethnicity, with American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), Black, and White people experiencing the largest burden. We analyzed census block group data to evaluate differences in travel distance to opioid treatment programs (OTP) and buprenorphine providers by race and ethnicity. METHODS The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provided the addresses of OTPs and buprenorphine providers. The study classified block groups as majority (≥50 %) AI/AN, Black, Asian, White, no single racial majority, or Hispanic. We classified deprivation and rurality using the Area Deprivation Index and Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes. The study applied generalized linear mixed models. RESULTS Among all block groups, the median road distance to the nearest OTPs and buprenorphine providers was 8 and 2 miles, respectively. AI/AN-majority block groups had the longest median distances to OTPs (88 miles versus 4-10 miles) and buprenorphine providers (17 miles versus 1-3 miles) compared to other racial or ethnic majority block groups. For OTPs and buprenorphine providers, travel distances were slightly greater in more deprived block groups compared to less deprived block groups. The median distance to the nearest OTPs and buprenorphine providers were larger in micropolitan and small town/rural block groups compared to metropolitan areas. CONCLUSIONS Disparities exist in travel distance to OTPs and buprenorphine providers. People in block groups with AI/AN-majority, nonmetropolitan, or more deprived designation experience travel disparities accessing treatment. Future research should develop targeted interventions to reduce access to care disparities for individuals with opioid use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solmaz Amiri
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health (IREACH), Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Victoria Panwala
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ofer Amram
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, USA
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Hohmeier KC, Cernasev A, Leibold C, Moore TM, Schlesinger E, Arce I, Geminn W, Chisholm-Burns M, Cochran G. Patient reported goals for medications for opioid use disorder: A theory of proximal goal attainment. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN CLINICAL AND SOCIAL PHARMACY 2023; 12:100345. [PMID: 37876851 PMCID: PMC10590992 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There exist substantial patient barriers to accessing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), including travel distance, stigma, and availability of MOUD providers. Yet, despite these barriers, there exists a subset of patients who possess the requisite motivation to seek and remain adherent to treatment. Objective To explore patient-derived goals in MOUD treatment-adherent patients. Methods This study used in-depth interviews with patients receiving methadone who were enrolled in opioid treatment programs (OTPs) across Tennessee. Participants were recruited from 12 different OTPs to participate in telephonic semi-structured interviews to a point of saturation. Participants had to be adherent to treatment, in treatment for 6 months or greater, and English speaking. Analysis occurred inductively using a constructivist approach to Grounded Theory. Results In total, 17 patient interviews were conducted in the spring of 2021. Participants described goal setting across three general stages of treatment: (1) addressing acute physical and emotional needs upon treatment entry, (2) development of supportive structure and routine to develop healthy skills facilitated by treatment team, and (3) identifying and pursuing future-focused goals not directly linked to treatment. A Proximal Goals in MOUD Framework is introduced. Conclusion In this qualitative study on patient reported goals in MOUD it was found that goals are transitory and relative to the stage of treatment. Further research is needed to better understand goal evolution over the course of treatment and its impact on treatment retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth C. Hohmeier
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, Nashville, TN 37211, USA
| | - Alina Cernasev
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, Nashville, TN 37211, USA
| | - Christina Leibold
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, Nashville, TN 37211, USA
| | - Todd M. Moore
- University of Tennessee, Department of Psychology, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Erica Schlesinger
- Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Nashville, TN 37243, USA
| | - Ileana Arce
- Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Nashville, TN 37243, USA
| | - Wesley Geminn
- Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Nashville, TN 37243, USA
| | - Marie Chisholm-Burns
- Oregon Health & Science University, Office of the Provost, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Gerald Cochran
- University of Utah, Division of Epidemiology, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Joudrey PJ, Halpern D, Lin Q, Paykin S, Mair C, Kolak M. Methadone prescribing by addiction specialists likely to leave communities without available methadone treatment. HEALTH AFFAIRS SCHOLAR 2023; 1:qxad061. [PMID: 38288046 PMCID: PMC10824529 DOI: 10.1093/haschl/qxad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Methadone treatment for opioid use disorder is not available in most suburban and rural US communities. We examined 2 options to expand methadone availability: (1) addiction specialty physician or (2) all clinician prescribing. Using 2022 Health Resources and Services Administration data, we used mental health professional shortage areas to indicate the potential of addiction specialty physician prescribing and the location of federally qualified health centers (ie, federally certified primary care clinics) to indicate the potential of all clinician prescribing. We examined how many census tracts without an available opioid treatment program (ie, methadone clinic) are (1) located within a mental health professional shortage area and (2) are also without an available federally qualified health center. Methadone was available in 49% of tracts under current regulations, 63% of tracts in the case of specialist physician prescribing, and 86% of tracts in the case of all clinician prescribing. Specialist physician prescribing would expand availability to an additional 12% of urban, 18% of suburban, and 16% of rural tracts, while clinician prescribing would expand to an additional 30% of urban, 53% of suburban, and 58% of rural tracts relative to current availability. Results support enabling broader methadone prescribing privileges to ensure equitable treatment access, particularly for rural communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Joudrey
- Center for Research on Health Care, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Dylan Halpern
- Data Science Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Qinyun Lin
- Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 413 46, Sweden
| | - Susan Paykin
- Data Science Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Christina Mair
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
| | - Marynia Kolak
- Department of Geography and Geographic Information Science, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
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Scow M, McDougall J, Slaunwhite A, Palis H. Peer-led safer supply and opioid agonist treatment medication distribution: a case study from rural British Columbia. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:156. [PMID: 37875927 PMCID: PMC10598959 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00883-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND British Columbia (BC) has been facing a public health emergency of overdose since 2016, with rural regions of the province facing the highest rates of death. Peers (in this case, people with lived experience of substance use) are known to be effective patient navigators in health systems and can play a role in connecting patients to care and reducing overdose risk. CASE PRESENTATION We outline a peer-led program focused on opioid agonist treatment and prescribed safe supply medication delivery that began in March 2020 at a clinic in rural BC. The peer takes an Indigenous harm reduction approach and is focused on meeting the needs of the whole person. The peer has regular contact with approximately 50 clients and navigates medication delivery and appointments for approximately 10-15 people each day. Clients have been retained on the medication, and experienced improvement in other outcomes, including securing housing, employment and managing acute and chronic health conditions. The peer has established contact with clients since March 2020 to support engagement with health care and continuity of medication access. This program highlights the importance and value of peer-led work and need for further investments in peer-led programs to respond to the unregulated drug poisoning crisis. CONCLUSIONS This peer-led intervention is a promising approach to engaging people who remain disconnected from health services in care in a rural community. This model could be adapted to other settings to support patient contact with the health system and medication access and continuity, with the ultimate goal of reducing overdose risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marnie Scow
- BC Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, 655 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jenny McDougall
- Coalition of Substance Users of the North, Northern British Columbia, Quesnel, BC, Canada
| | - Amanda Slaunwhite
- BC Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, 655 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Heather Palis
- BC Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, 655 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2A1, Canada.
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11
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Heidari O, Shah H, Bhagwat A, Ahmad NJ, Whaley S, Sherman SG, Morris M, Saloner B. Changes in opioid treatment programs and harm reduction provider services during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from 10 states. Psychol Serv 2023:2024-15613-001. [PMID: 37824245 PMCID: PMC11009379 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Harm reduction and opioid treatment programs (OTPs) modified service delivery based on rapid changes to state and federal regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is little evidence on how these regulations changed the delivery of medication for opioid use disorder and harm reduction services and whether certain regulations should be made permanent. This study explores how harm reduction OTPs across the United States leveraged changes in regulations and responded to impacts of COVID-19 to continue providing services and perspectives on future legislation that regulates their practice and practice sites. The COVID Harm Reduction and Treatment programs Survey study administered a survey that included closed-ended and free-response questions to 22 sites between August 2020 and January 2021. Program demographics and responses to survey items pertaining to site and service modifications were tabulated and proportions reported. A qualitative descriptive method was used to analyze free-response questions. All (100%) surveyed providers reported the need to modify their services. The majority (68%) reported an increase or no change in client volume; 68% reported increases in naloxone services and 77% reported increases in syringe services programs. Qualitative themes included (a) flexibility in reaching clients due to regulatory changes, (b) benefits and drawbacks of telehealth, and (c) increased vulnerabilities of their clients during the pandemic. Despite difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, harm reduction and OTP sites found that regulatory changes provided flexibility in service delivery and that they were better able to serve their clients. Future policies should bolster these sites to continue to provide low-barrier and high-quality services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Omeid Heidari
- University of Washington, School of Nursing, Department of Child, Family, and Population Health
| | - Hridika Shah
- Department of Health, Policy, and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Atharva Bhagwat
- Department of Health, Policy, and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - N. Jia Ahmad
- Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital
| | - Sara Whaley
- Department of Health, Policy, and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Susan G. Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Miles Morris
- Department of Health, Policy, and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health, Policy, and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health
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12
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Jarrett JB, Bratberg J, Burns AL, Cochran G, DiPaula BA, Dopp AL, Elmes A, Green TC, Hill LG, Homsted F, Hsia SL, Matthews ML, Ghitza UE, Wu LT, Bart G. Research Priorities for Expansion of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in the Community Pharmacy. Subst Abus 2023; 44:264-276. [PMID: 37902032 PMCID: PMC10870734 DOI: 10.1177/08897077231203849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, the U.S. opioid overdose crisis has magnified, particularly since the introduction of synthetic opioids, including fentanyl. Despite the benefits of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), only about a fifth of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) in the U.S. receive MOUD. The ubiquity of pharmacists, along with their extensive education and training, represents great potential for expansion of MOUD services, particularly in community pharmacies. The National Institute on Drug Abuse's National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (NIDA CTN) convened a working group to develop a research agenda to expand OUD treatment in the community pharmacy sector to support improved access to MOUD and patient outcomes. Identified settings for research include independent and chain pharmacies and co-located pharmacies within primary care settings. Specific topics for research included adaptation of pharmacy infrastructure for clinical service provision, strategies for interprofessional collaboration including health service models, drug policy and regulation, pharmacist education about OUD and OUD treatment, including didactic, experiential, and interprofessional curricula, and educational interventions to reduce stigma towards this patient population. Together, expanding these research areas can bring effective MOUD to where it is most needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie B. Jarrett
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Jeffrey Bratberg
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Anne L. Burns
- American Pharmacists Association, Washington, DC, USA (retired)
| | - Gerald Cochran
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Bethany A. DiPaula
- Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Abigail Elmes
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Traci C. Green
- COBER on Opioids and Overdose at Rhode Island Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Opioid Policy Research Collaborative, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Lucas G. Hill
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Stephanie L. Hsia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, San Francisco School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michele L. Matthews
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Udi E. Ghitza
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Center for the Clinical Trials Network (CCTN), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Li-Tzy Wu
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gavin Bart
- Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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13
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Wu LT, Mannelli P, John WS, Anderson A, Schwartz RP. Pharmacy-based methadone treatment in the US: views of pharmacists and opioid treatment program staff. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2023; 18:55. [PMID: 37697326 PMCID: PMC10496162 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-023-00563-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The US federal regulations allow pharmacy administration and dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder (PADMOUD) to increase the capability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in providing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) as part of a medication unit. However, there is a lack of research data from both pharmacy and OTP staff to inform the implementation of PADMOUD. METHODS Staff of a pharmacy (n = 8) and an OTP (n = 9) that participated in the first completed US trial on PADMOUD through electronic prescribing for methadone (parent study) were recruited to participate in this qualitative interview study to explore implementation-related factors for PADMOUD. Each interview was recorded and transcribed verbatim. NVivo was used to help identify themes of qualitative interview data. The Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework was used to guide the coding and interpretation of data. RESULTS Six pharmacy staff and eight OTP staff (n = 14) completed the interview. Results based on PARIHS domains were summarized, including evidence, context, and facilitation domains. Participants perceived benefits of PADMOUD for patients, pharmacies, OTPs, and payers. PADMOUD was considered to increase access for stable patients, provide additional patient service opportunities and revenues for pharmacies/pharmacists, enhance the capability of OTPs to treat more new patients, and reduce patients' cost when receiving medication at a pharmacy relative to an OTP. Both pharmacy and OTP staff were perceived to be supportive of the implementation of PADMOUD. Pharmacy staff/pharmacists were perceived to need proper training on addiction and methadone as well as a protocol of PADMOUD to conduct PADMOUD. Facilitators include having thought leaders to guide the operation, a certification program to ensure proper training of pharmacy staff/pharmacist, having updated pharmacy service software or technology to streamline the workflow of delivering PADMOUD and inventory management, and reimbursement for pharmacists. CONCLUSION This study presents the first findings on perspectives of PADMOUD from both staff of a community pharmacy and an OTP in the US. Finding on barriers and facilitators are useful data to guide the development of strategies to implement PADMOUD to help address the US opioid crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Tzy Wu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Center for Child and Family Policy, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Duke Institute For Brain Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Paolo Mannelli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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Conway A, Krawczyk N, McGaffey F, Doyle S, Baaklini V, Marshall AD, Treloar C, Davis CS, Colledge-Frisby S, Grebely J, Cerdá M. Typology of laws restricting access to methadone treatment in the United States: A latent class analysis. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 119:104141. [PMID: 37540917 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, methadone treatment for opioid use disorder is only available at opioid treatment programs (OTPs). In addition to federal regulations, states can enact laws which shape access to OTPs. We aimed to define classes of states according to restrictiveness of state OTP laws and examine population characteristics associated with class membership. METHODS A set of laws was extracted from a database of statutes and regulations governing OTPs in 49 states and the District of Columbia as of June 2021. Latent class analysis of laws was used to estimate the probability of class membership for each state. Class-weighted multinomial logistic regression analysis assessed state-level correlates of class membership and adjusted Relative Risk Ratio (aRRR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were generated. RESULTS States (n = 50) were assigned to three classes; Class 1) High restrictiveness on patient experience, low restrictiveness on access to service (n = 13); Class 2) Medium restrictiveness on patient experience, high restrictiveness on access to service (n = 14); Class 3) Low restrictiveness on patient experience, low restrictiveness on access to service (n = 23). States with a higher probability of membership in Classes with higher restrictiveness had higher rates of unemployment (Class 1 vs Class 3, aRRR:1.24; 95%CI:1.06-1.45), and Black residents (Class 2 vs Class 3, aRRR:1.10; 95%CI:1.04-1.15), and lower likelihood of Medicaid coverage of methadone (Class 1 vs Class 3, aRRR:0.25; 95%CI:0.07-0.88). States with a higher probability of membership in Classes with higher restrictiveness also had higher rates of potential indicators for opioid use disorder treatment need, including rates of opioid dispensing (Class 1 vs Class 3, aRRR:1.06; 95%CI:1.02-1.10, Class 2 vs Class 3, aRRR:1.07; 95%CI:1.03-1.11) and HIV diagnoses attributed to injection (Class 1 vs Class 3, aRRR:3.92; 95%CI:1.25-12.22). CONCLUSIONS States with indicators of greater potential need for opioid use disorder treatment have the most restrictions, raising concerns about unmet treatment need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Conway
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Noa Krawczyk
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Sheri Doyle
- The Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia, United States
| | | | - Alison D Marshall
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Corey S Davis
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Network for Public Health Law, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Samantha Colledge-Frisby
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Melbourne, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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15
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Panwala V, Joudrey P, Kowalski M, Bach P, Amram O. Changes to methadone maintenance therapy in the United States, Canada, and Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative review. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2023; 152:209086. [PMID: 37270103 PMCID: PMC10232933 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, countries across the world made adaptations to policies regulating the provision of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) to facilitate social distancing for health care providers and people in treatment. Many countries issued guidance about increasing take-home methadone doses after the onset of the pandemic. METHODS In this review, we compare the regulation of MMT prior to the pandemic in the United States, Canada, and Australia, analyze changes to treatment policy in the context of COVID-19, and review emerging data on treatment outcomes. RESULTS The United States only permits the prescription and disbursement of methadone for MMT treatment at federally designated opioid treatment programs (OTPs). Conversely, Australia and Canada operate on a community pharmacy-based distribution model, where patients can access methadone doses either in participating pharmacies or in some methadone clinics. CONCLUSION Given reports of similar treatment outcomes and increased patient satisfaction since the pandemic-related policy changes, some changes including increased receipt of take-home doses should be considered for incorporation into post-pandemic treatment policies and regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Panwala
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA.
| | - Paul Joudrey
- Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Melanie Kowalski
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Division, Department of Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paxton Bach
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ofer Amram
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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16
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Risby J, Schlesinger E, Geminn W, Cernasev A. Methadone Treatment Gap in Tennessee and How Medication Units Could Bridge the Gap: A Review. PHARMACY 2023; 11:131. [PMID: 37736904 PMCID: PMC10514867 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy11050131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The opioid epidemic has been an ongoing public health concern in the United States (US) for the last few decades. The number of overdose deaths involving opioids, hereafter referred to as overdose deaths, has increased yearly since the mid-1990s. One treatment modality for opioid use disorder (OUD) is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). As of 2022, only three pharmacotherapy options have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating OUD: buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. Unlike buprenorphine and naltrexone, methadone dispensing and administrating are restricted to opioid treatment programs (OTPs). To date, Tennessee has no medication units, and administration and dispensing of methadone is limited to licensed OTPs. This review details the research process used to develop a policy draft for medication units in Tennessee. This review is comprised of three parts: (1) a rapid review aimed at identifying obstacles and facilitators to OTP access in the US, (2) a descriptive analysis of Tennessee's geographic availability of OTPs, pharmacies, and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and (3) policy mapping of 21 US states' OTP regulations. In the rapid review, a total of 486 articles were imported into EndNote from PubMed and Embase. After removing 152 duplicates, 357 articles were screened based on their title and abstract. Thus, 34 articles underwent a full-text review to identify articles that addressed the accessibility of methadone treatment for OUD. A total of 18 articles were identified and analyzed. A descriptive analysis of Tennessee's availability of OTP showed that the state has 22 OTPs. All 22 OTPs were matched to a county and a region based on their address resulting in 15 counties (16%) and all three regions having at least one OTP. A total of 260 FQHCs and 2294 pharmacies are in Tennessee. Each facility was matched to a county based on its address resulting in 70 counties (74%) having at least one FQHC and 94 counties (99%) having at least one pharmacy. As of 31 December 2022, 17 states mentioned medication units in their state-level OTP regulations. Utilizing the regulations for the eleven states with medication units and federal guidelines, a policy draft was created for Tennessee's medication units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Risby
- Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Andrew Jackson Building, 6th Floor, 500 Deaderick Street, Nashville, TN 37243, USA; (E.S.); (W.G.)
| | - Erica Schlesinger
- Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Andrew Jackson Building, 6th Floor, 500 Deaderick Street, Nashville, TN 37243, USA; (E.S.); (W.G.)
| | - Wesley Geminn
- Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Andrew Jackson Building, 6th Floor, 500 Deaderick Street, Nashville, TN 37243, USA; (E.S.); (W.G.)
| | - Alina Cernasev
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, 301 S. Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 220, Nashville, TN 37211, USA;
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17
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Krawczyk N, Joudrey PJ, Simon R, Russel DM, Frank D. Recent modifications to the US methadone treatment system are a Band-Aid-not a solution-to the nation's broken opioid use disorder treatment system. HEALTH AFFAIRS SCHOLAR 2023; 1:qxad018. [PMID: 38756842 PMCID: PMC10986206 DOI: 10.1093/haschl/qxad018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
For 5 decades, US federal regulations have segregated methadone treatment for opioid use disorder from the rest of the health care system, confining its availability to specialty treatment programs that are highly regulated. These regulations have led to severe shortages in the availability of methadone and grave underutilization of this lifesaving medication despite a worsening overdose crisis. In this commentary, we discuss current barriers to methadone in the US opioid treatment system and how recent changes to federal regulations fall short of the reforms needed to significantly expand access to this treatment. Instead, we propose the urgent need to expand methadone to mainstream health care settings by allowing for office-based prescribing and pharmacy dispensing of methadone, the norm in many other developed countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Krawczyk
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy (COEP), Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Paul J Joudrey
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States
| | - Rachel Simon
- Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Danielle M Russel
- School of Social Transformation, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - David Frank
- NYU School of Global Public Health, New York, NY 10012, United States
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18
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Nguyen DB, Nguyen TT, Lin C, Dinh TTT, Le GM, Li L. Challenges of methadone maintenance treatment decentralisation from Vietnamese primary care providers' perspectives. Drug Alcohol Rev 2023; 42:803-814. [PMID: 36851865 PMCID: PMC10191884 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Decentralising methadone maintenance treatment to primary care improves patients' access to care and their drug and HIV treatment outcomes. However, primary care providers (PCP), especially those working in limited-resource settings, are facing great challenges to provide quality methadone treatment. This study explores the challenges perceived by PCP providing methadone treatment at commune health centres in a mountainous region in Vietnam. METHOD We conducted in-depth interviews with 26 PCP who worked as program managers, physicians, counsellors, pharmacists and medication dispensing staff at the methadone programs of eight commune health centres in Dien Bien, Vietnam, in November and December 2019. We used the health-care system framework in developing the interview guides and in summarising data themes. RESULTS Participants identified major challenges in providing methadone treatment in commune health centres at the individual, clinic and environmental levels. Individual-level challenges included a lack of confidence and motivation in providing methadone treatment. Clinic-level factors included inadequate human resources, lack of institutional support, insufficient technical support, lack of referral resources and additional support for patients. Environment-level factors comprised a lack of reasonable policies on financial support for providers at commune health centres for providing methadone treatment, lack of regulations and mechanisms to ensure providers' safety in case of potential violence by patients and to share responsibility for overdose during treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION PCP in Vietnam faced multi-level challenges in providing quality methadone treatment. Supportive policies and additional resources are needed to ensure the effectiveness of the decentralisation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diep Bich Nguyen
- Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Trang Thu Nguyen
- Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Chunqing Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Thuy Thi Thanh Dinh
- Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Giang Minh Le
- Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Li Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
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Murray OB, Doyle M, McLeman BM, Marsch LA, Saunders EC, Cox KM, Watts D, Ryer J. Augmenting project ECHO for opioid use disorder with data-informed quality improvement. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2023; 18:24. [PMID: 37106399 PMCID: PMC10139906 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-023-00381-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND National opioid-related overdose fatalities totaled 650,000 from 1999 to 2021. Some of the highest rates occurred in New Hampshire, where 40% of the population lives rurally. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD; methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone) have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing opioid overdose and mortality. Methadone access barriers disproportionally impact rural areas and naltrexone uptake has been limited. Buprenorphine availability has increased and relaxed regulations reduces barriers in general medical settings common in rural areas. Barriers to prescribing buprenorphine include lack of confidence, inadequate training, and lack of access to experts. To address these barriers, learning collaboratives have trained clinics on best-practice performance data collection to inform quality improvement (QI). This project sought to explore the feasibility of training clinics to collect performance data and initiate QI alongside clinics' participation in a Project ECHO virtual collaborative for buprenorphine providers. METHODS Eighteen New Hampshire clinics participating in a Project ECHO were offered a supplemental project exploring the feasibility of performance data collection to inform QI targeting increased alignment with best practice. Feasibility was assessed descriptively, through each clinic's participation in training sessions, data collection, and QI initiatives. An end-of-project survey was conducted to understand clinic staff perceptions of how useful and acceptable they found the program. RESULTS Five of the eighteen health care clinics that participated in the Project ECHO joined the training project, four of which served rural communities in New Hampshire. All five clinics met the criteria for engagement, as each clinic attended at least one training session, submitted at least one month of performance data, and completed at least one QI initiative. Survey results showed that while clinic staff perceived the training and data collection to be useful, there were several barriers to collecting the data, including lack of staff time, and difficulty standardizing documentation within the clinic electronic health record. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that training clinics to monitor their performance and base QI initiatives on data has potential to impact clinical best practice. While data collection was inconsistent, clinics completed several data-informed QI initiatives, indicating that smaller scale data collection might be more attainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen B Murray
- Northeast Node of the Clinical Trials Network, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, 46 Centerra Parkway, Suite 315, NH, 03766, Lebanon, USA.
| | - Marcy Doyle
- New Hampshire Citizen's Health Initiative, Institute for Health Policy and Practice, University of New Hampshire, 2 White Street, NH, 03301, Concord, USA
| | - Bethany M McLeman
- Northeast Node of the Clinical Trials Network, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, 46 Centerra Parkway, Suite 315, NH, 03766, Lebanon, USA
| | - Lisa A Marsch
- Northeast Node of the Clinical Trials Network, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, 46 Centerra Parkway, Suite 315, NH, 03766, Lebanon, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Saunders
- Northeast Node of the Clinical Trials Network, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, 46 Centerra Parkway, Suite 315, NH, 03766, Lebanon, USA
| | - Katherine M Cox
- New Hampshire Citizen's Health Initiative, Institute for Health Policy and Practice, University of New Hampshire, 2 White Street, NH, 03301, Concord, USA
| | - Delitha Watts
- New Hampshire Citizen's Health Initiative, Institute for Health Policy and Practice, University of New Hampshire, 2 White Street, NH, 03301, Concord, USA
| | - Jeanne Ryer
- New Hampshire Citizen's Health Initiative, Institute for Health Policy and Practice, University of New Hampshire, 2 White Street, NH, 03301, Concord, USA
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20
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Amram O, Rosenkrantz L, DDes SA, Schuurman N, Panwala VJ, Joudrey PJ. Availability of timely methadone treatment in the United States and Canada during COVID-19: A census tract-level analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 245:109801. [PMID: 36801707 PMCID: PMC9908565 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We sought to compare timely access to methadone treatment in the United States (US) and Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of census tracts and aggregated dissemination areas (used for rural Canada) within 14 US and 3 Canadian jurisdictions in 2020. We excluded census tracts or areas with a population density of less than one person per square km. Data from a 2020 audit of timely medication access was used to determine clinics accepting new patients within 48 h. Unadjusted and adjusted linear regressions were performed to examine the relationship between area population density and sociodemographic covariates and three outcome variables: 1) driving distance to the nearest methadone clinic accepting new patients, 2) driving distance to the nearest methadone clinic accepting new patients for medication initiation within 48 h, and 3) the difference in the driving distance between the first and second outcome. RESULTS We included 17,611 census tracts and areas with a population density greater than one person per square kilometer. After adjusting for area covariates, US jurisdictions were a median of 11.6 miles (p value <0.001) further from a methadone clinic accepting new patients and 25.1 miles (p value <0.001) further from a clinic accepting new patients within 48 h than Canadian jurisdictions. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the more flexible Canadian regulatory approach to methadone treatment is associated with a greater availability of timely methadone treatment and reduced urban-rural disparity in availability, compared to the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofer Amram
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
| | - Leah Rosenkrantz
- Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Solmaz Amiri DDes
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Nadine Schuurman
- Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Victoria J Panwala
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Paul J Joudrey
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA
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Hohmeier KC, Cernasev A, Leibold C, Moore TM, Schlesinger E, Cochran G, Arce I, Geminn W, Chisholm-Burns M. Community-Centered Patient Journey Map in Opioid Use Disorder: A Tool to Address Compassion Fatigue among Community Pharmacists. PHARMACY 2023; 11:52. [PMID: 36961030 PMCID: PMC10037586 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy11020052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Community pharmacists have become increasingly exposed to opioid use disorders in recent decades. However, both pharmacist training and traditional practice environments have not been adequate to prepare the pharmacist for both the patient care needs and regulatory barriers of patients experiencing opioid use disorders (OUD). As a result, there is a need to increase pharmacists' awareness of both the overall patient experience as they navigate their OUD and the role of the community pharmacy as a touchpoint within that experience. To this end, a Community-Centered Patient Journey in Drug Addiction Treatment journey map was developed with expert insights, clinical experience, and in-depth interviews (conducted in spring of 2021) with 16 participants enrolled in licensed opioid treatment programs in Tennessee. Patients, policymakers, clinicians, and academic researchers were involved in the map development. Lived experiences of key informants were captured via in-depth interviews. A consensus decision-making approach was used throughout the patient journey map development process. The final patient journey map illustrates a non-linear pathway, describes the central role of the patient's community, and emphasizes three major "pain points" within the system (access, adherence, and affordability). Future research should investigate the impact of such a journey map on pharmacy personnel's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Charles Hohmeier
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Nashville, TN 37211, USA
| | - Alina Cernasev
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Nashville, TN 37211, USA
| | - Christina Leibold
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Nashville, TN 37211, USA
| | - Todd M. Moore
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Erica Schlesinger
- Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Nashville, TN 37243, USA
| | - Gerald Cochran
- Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ileana Arce
- Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Nashville, TN 37243, USA
| | - Wesley Geminn
- Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Nashville, TN 37243, USA
| | - Marie Chisholm-Burns
- Office of the Provost, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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22
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Levander XA, Foot CA, Magnusson SL, Cook RR, Ezell JM, Feinberg J, Go VF, Lancaster KE, Salisbury-Afshar E, Smith GS, Westergaard RP, Young AM, Tsui JI, Korthuis PT. Contraception and Healthcare Utilization by Reproductive-Age Women Who Use Drugs in Rural Communities: a Cross-Sectional Survey. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:98-106. [PMID: 35731368 PMCID: PMC9849531 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07558-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women who use drugs (WWUD) have low rates of contraceptive use and high rates of unintended pregnancy. Drug use is common among women in rural U.S. communities, with limited data on how they utilize reproductive, substance use disorder (SUD), and healthcare services. OBJECTIVE We determined contraceptive use prevalence among WWUD in rural communities then compared estimates to women from similar rural areas. We investigated characteristics of those using contraceptives, and associations between contraceptive use and SUD treatment, healthcare utilization, and substance use. DESIGN Rural Opioids Initiative (ROI) - cross-sectional survey using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) involving eight rural U.S. regions (January 2018-March 2020); National Survey on Family Growth (NSFG) - nationally-representative U.S. household reproductive health survey (2017-2019). PARTICIPANTS Women aged 18-49 with prior 30-day non-prescribed opioid and/or non-opioid injection drug use; fecundity determined by self-reported survey responses. MAIN MEASURES Unweighted and RDS-weighted prevalence estimates of medical/procedural contraceptive use; chi-squared tests and multi-level linear regressions to test associations. KEY RESULTS Of 855 women in the ROI, 36.8% (95% CI 33.7-40.1, unweighted) and 38.6% (95% CI 30.7-47.2, weighted) reported contraceptive use, compared to 66% of rural women in the NSFG sample. Among the ROI women, 27% had received prior 30-day SUD treatment via outpatient counseling or inpatient program and these women had increased odds of contraceptive use (aOR 1.50 [95% CI 1.08-2.06]). There was a positive association between contraception use and recent medications for opioid use disorder (aOR 1.34 [95% CI 0.95-1.88]) and prior 6-month primary care utilization (aOR 1.32 [95% CI 0.96-1.82]) that did not meet the threshold for statistical significance. CONCLUSION WWUD in rural areas reported low contraceptive use; those who recently received SUD treatment had greater odds of contraceptive use. Improvements are needed in expanding reproductive and preventive health within SUD treatment and primary care services in rural communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena A Levander
- Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, Addiction Medicine Section, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Canyon A Foot
- Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, Addiction Medicine Section, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Ryan R Cook
- Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, Addiction Medicine Section, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jerel M Ezell
- Africana Studies and Research Center, Cornell Center for Health Equity, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Judith Feinberg
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Department of Medicine Section of Infectious Diseases, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Vivian F Go
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kathryn E Lancaster
- Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Gordon S Smith
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ryan P Westergaard
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - April M Young
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Judith I Tsui
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - P Todd Korthuis
- Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, Addiction Medicine Section, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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23
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Bratberg JP, Falleni A. Preserving dignity through expanded and sustained access to buprenorphine. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2023; 63:220-223. [PMID: 36599800 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2022.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alyssa Falleni
- VA Health Professions Education, Evaluation and Research Fellow, West Haven, CT
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24
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Anwar T, Duever M, Jayawardhana J. Access to methadone clinics and opioid overdose deaths in Georgia: A geospatial analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 238:109565. [PMID: 35839618 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a result of the opioid epidemic, the demand for treatment options for opioid use disorder (OUD) such as methadone has increased. Methadone can only be administered in methadone clinics. Though numerous methadone clinics are located across the state of Georgia, access to methadone treatment may still be a concern for certain areas of the state. In this study, we examine the relationship between access to methadone clinics and opioid overdose death rates at the county level and compare access to treatment through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) if methadone provision was to expand in Georgia. METHODS We utilize location data for methadone clinics and FQHCs, and opioid overdose death rates at the county level from 2019 for the study analysis. The analysis was carried out using a geographical information system (GIS) mapping and a descriptive analysis. RESULTS The results show that there is no methadone clinic accessible to individuals within a 15-minute drive time for 4 out of the 5 counties with the highest opioid overdose death rates in Georgia, though FQHCs are accessible within a 15-minute drive time to more than 67% of the population in each of these counties. Additionally, 7 out of the 9 counties with the highest opioid overdose death rates have no methadone clinic accessible within a 15-minute drive time, though all those counties have easier access to FQHCs. CONCLUSION If methadone distribution was to expand to FQHCs, more counties and a larger area of Georgia would have greater access to methadone treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahiya Anwar
- Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Meagan Duever
- Map and Government Information Library, University of Georgia, 320 S Jackson St, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Jayani Jayawardhana
- College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, 250 West Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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25
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Calcaterra SL, Bottner R, Martin M, Englander H, Weinstein ZM, Weimer MB, Lambert E, Ronan MV, Huerta S, Zaman T, Ullal M, Peterkin AF, Torres-Lockhart K, Buresh M, O’Brien MT, Snyder H, Herzig SJ. Management of opioid use disorder, opioid withdrawal, and opioid overdose prevention in hospitalized adults: A systematic review of existing guidelines. J Hosp Med 2022; 17:679-692. [PMID: 35880821 PMCID: PMC9474657 DOI: 10.1002/jhm.12908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitalizations related to the consequences of opioid use are rising. National guidelines directing in-hospital opioid use disorder (OUD) management do not exist. OUD treatment guidelines intended for other treatment settings could inform in-hospital OUD management. OBJECTIVE Evaluate the quality and content of existing guidelines for OUD treatment and management. DATA SOURCES OVID MEDLINE, PubMed, Ovid PsychINFO, EBSCOhost CINHAL, ERCI Guidelines Trust, websites of relevant societies and advocacy organizations, and selected international search engines. STUDY SELECTION Guidelines published between January 2010 to June 2020 addressing OUD treatment, opioid withdrawal management, opioid overdose prevention, and care transitions among adults. DATA EXTRACTION We assessed quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument. DATA SYNTHESIS Nineteen guidelines met the selection criteria. Most recommendations were based on observational studies or expert consensus. Guidelines recommended the use of nonstigmatizing language among patients with OUD; to assess patients with unhealthy opioid use for OUD using the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Diseases-5th Edition criteria; use of methadone or buprenorphine to treat OUD and opioid withdrawal; use of multimodal, nonopioid therapy, and when needed, short-acting opioid analgesics in addition to buprenorphine or methadone, for acute pain management; ensuring linkage to ongoing methadone or buprenorphine treatment; referring patients to psychosocial treatment; and ensuring access to naloxone for opioid overdose reversal. CONCLUSIONS Included guidelines were informed by studies with various levels of rigor and quality. Future research should systematically study buprenorphine and methadone initiation and titration among people using fentanyl and people with pain, especially during hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L. Calcaterra
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Division of Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Richard Bottner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Marlene Martin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine, University of California San Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Honora Englander
- Section of Addiction Medicine and Division of Hospital Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Zoe M. Weinstein
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Section of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Eugene Lambert
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA and Massachusetts General Hospital, Medicine, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Matthew V. Ronan
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA and Massachusetts General Hospital, Medicine, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, USA
| | - Sergio Huerta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, NM, USA
| | - Tauheed Zaman
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Monish Ullal
- Department of Internal Medicine at Highland Hospital, Alameda Health System, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Alyssa F. Peterkin
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Section of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Megan Buresh
- Division of Addiction Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Meghan T. O’Brien
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine, University of California San Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hannah Snyder
- Family Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shoshana J. Herzig
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA and Massachusetts General Hospital, Medicine, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
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26
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Calcaterra SL, Martin M, Bottner R, Englander H, Weinstein Z, Weimer MB, Lambert E, Herzig SJ. Management of opioid use disorder and associated conditions among hospitalized adults: A Consensus Statement from the Society of Hospital Medicine. J Hosp Med 2022; 17:744-756. [PMID: 35880813 PMCID: PMC9474708 DOI: 10.1002/jhm.12893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Hospital-based clinicians frequently care for patients with opioid withdrawal or opioid use disorder (OUD) and are well-positioned to identify and initiate treatment for these patients. With rising numbers of hospitalizations related to opioid use and opioid-related overdose, the Society of Hospital Medicine convened a working group to develop a Consensus Statement on the management of OUD and associated conditions among hospitalized adults. The guidance statement is intended for clinicians practicing medicine in the inpatient setting (e.g., hospitalists, primary care physicians, family physicians, advanced practice nurses, and physician assistants) and is intended to apply to hospitalized adults at risk for, or diagnosed with, OUD. To develop the Consensus Statement, the working group conducted a systematic review of relevant guidelines and composed a draft statement based on extracted recommendations. Next, the working group obtained feedback on the draft statement from external experts in addiction medicine, SHM members, professional societies, harm reduction organizations and advocacy groups, and peer reviewers. The iterative development process resulted in a final Consensus Statement consisting of 18 recommendations covering the following topics: (1) identification and treatment of OUD and opioid withdrawal, (2) perioperative and acute pain management in patients with OUD, and (3) methods to optimize care transitions at hospital discharge for patients with OUD. Most recommendations in the Consensus Statement were derived from guidelines based on observational studies and expert consensus. Due to the lack of rigorous evidence supporting key aspects of OUD-related care, the working group identified important issues necessitating future research and exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L. Calcaterra
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Division of Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Marlene Martin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine, University of California San Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Richard Bottner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Honora Englander
- Department of Medicine, Section of Addiction Medicine and Division of Hospital Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Zoe Weinstein
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Eugene Lambert
- Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shoshana J. Herzig
- Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
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Abstract
In the context of the US overdose crisis, improving access to medications for opioid use disorder is urgently needed. The Canadian model of methadone treatment, whereby clinicians can prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder in office-based settings and methadone can be dispensed through community pharmacies, offers a compelling model for adoption in the US. Office-based settings in which methadone is prescribed often adopt a rapid-access model, allowing walk-in appointments and same-day initiation of methadone. Prescribing authorization requirements have been relaxed over the past 25 years to improve access to methadone. This paper summarizes the model of office-based methadone prescribing in Canada, highlighting the regulatory structures, prescribing practices, and interprofessional collaborations that enable methadone treatment in office-based settings. Potential implementation strategies for adopting office-based prescribing in the US are discussed.
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28
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Korthuis PT, Cook RR, Foot CA, Leichtling G, Tsui JI, Stopka TJ, Leahy J, Jenkins WD, Baker R, Chan B, Crane HM, Cooper HL, Feinberg J, Zule WA, Go VF, Estadt AT, Nance RM, Smith GS, Westergaard RP, Van Ham B, Brown R, Young AM. Association of Methamphetamine and Opioid Use With Nonfatal Overdose in Rural Communities. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2226544. [PMID: 35969400 PMCID: PMC9379740 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.26544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Overdoses continue to increase in the US, but the contribution of methamphetamine use is understudied in rural communities. Objective To estimate the prevalence of methamphetamine use and its correlates among people who use drugs (PWUD) in rural US communities and to determine whether methamphetamine use is associated with increased nonfatal overdoses. Design, Setting, and Participants From January 2018 through March 2020, the National Rural Opioid Initiative conducted cross-sectional surveys of PWUD in rural communities in 10 states (Illinois, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin). Participants included rural PWUD who reported any past-30-day injection drug use or noninjection opioid use to get high. A modified chain-referral sampling strategy identified seeds who referred others using drugs. Data analysis was performed from May 2021 to January 2022. Exposures Use of methamphetamine alone, opioids alone, or both. Main Outcomes and Measures Unweighted and weighted prevalence of methamphetamine use, any past-180-day nonfatal overdose, and number of lifetime nonfatal overdoses. Results Among the 3048 participants, 1737 (57%) were male, 2576 (85%) were White, and 225 (7.4%) were American Indian; the mean (SD) age was 36 (10) years. Most participants (1878 of 2970 participants with any opioid or methamphetamine use [63%]) reported co-use of methamphetamine and opioids, followed by opioids alone (702 participants [24%]), and methamphetamine alone (390 participants [13%]). The estimated unweighted prevalence of methamphetamine use was 80% (95% CI, 64%-90%), and the estimated weighted prevalence was 79% (95% CI, 57%-91%). Nonfatal overdose was greatest in people using both methamphetamine and opioids (395 of 2854 participants with nonmissing overdose data [22%]) vs opioids alone (99 participants [14%]) or methamphetamine alone (23 participants [6%]). Co-use of methamphetamine and opioids was associated with greater nonfatal overdose compared with opioid use alone (adjusted odds ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.08-1.94; P = .01) and methamphetamine use alone (adjusted odds ratio, 3.26; 95% CI, 2.06-5.14; P < .001). Those with co-use had a mean (SD) of 2.4 (4.2) (median [IQR], 1 [0-3]) lifetime overdoses compared with 1.7 (3.5) (median [IQR], 0 [0-2]) among those using opioids alone (adjusted rate ratio, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01-1.43; P = .04), and 1.1 (2.9) (median [IQR], 0 [0-1]) among those using methamphetamine alone (adjusted rate ratio, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.45-2.27; P < .001). Participants with co-use most often reported having tried and failed to access substance use treatment: 827 participants (44%) for both, 117 participants (30%) for methamphetamine alone, and 252 participants (36%) for opioids alone (χ22 = 33.8; P < .001). Only 66 participants (17%) using methamphetamine alone had naloxone. Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that harm reduction and substance use disorder treatment interventions must address both methamphetamine and opioids to decrease overdose in rural communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Todd Korthuis
- Section of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
- Oregon Health & Science University–Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland
| | - Ryan R. Cook
- Section of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | - Canyon A. Foot
- Section of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | | | - Judith I. Tsui
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Thomas J. Stopka
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Wiley D. Jenkins
- Department of Population Science and Policy, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield
| | - Robin Baker
- Oregon Health & Science University–Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland
| | - Brian Chan
- Section of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | - Heidi M. Crane
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Hannah L. Cooper
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Judith Feinberg
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown
| | | | - Vivian F. Go
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
| | - Angela T. Estadt
- Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus
| | - Robin M. Nance
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Gordon S. Smith
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown
| | - Ryan P. Westergaard
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison
| | - Brent Van Ham
- Department of Population Science and Policy, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield
| | - Randall Brown
- Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison
| | - April M. Young
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington
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29
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Pasman E, Kollin R, Broman M, Lee G, Agius E, Lister JJ, Brown S, Resko SM. Cumulative barriers to retention in methadone treatment among adults from rural and small urban communities. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:35. [PMID: 35841076 PMCID: PMC9284487 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00316-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Though methadone has been shown to effectively treat opioid use disorder, many barriers prevent individuals from accessing and maintaining treatment. Barriers are prevalent in less populated areas where treatment options are limited. This study examines barriers to retention in methadone treatment in a small Midwest community and identifies factors associated with greater endorsement of barriers. Methods Patients at an opioid treatment program (N = 267) were recruited to complete a computer-based survey onsite. Surveys assessed demographics, opioid misuse, depression and anxiety symptoms, trauma history and symptoms, social support, and barriers to retention in treatment (e.g., childcare, work, housing, transportation, legal obligations, cost, health). Descriptive statistics were used to examine individual barriers and multiple regression was calculated to identify demographic and psychosocial factors associated with greater cumulative barriers. Results Most participants reported at least one barrier to retention in treatment and more than half reported multiple barriers. Travel hardships and work conflicts were the most highly endorsed barriers. Past year return to use (B = 2.31, p = 0.004) and more severe mental health symptomology (B = 0.20, p = 0.038) were associated with greater cumulative barriers. Greater levels of social support were associated with fewer barriers (B = − 0.23, p < 0.001). Conclusion This study adds to the limited research on barriers to retention in methadone treatment among patients in rural and small urban communities. Findings suggest flexible regulations for dispensing methadone, co-location or care coordination, and family or peer support programs may further reduce opioid use and related harms in small communities. Individuals with past year return to use reported a greater number of barriers, highlighting the time following return to use as critical for wraparound services and support. Those with co-occurring mental health issues may be vulnerable to poor treatment outcomes, as evidenced by greater endorsement of barriers. As social support emerged as a protective factor, efforts to strengthen informal support networks should be explored as adjunctive services to methadone treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Pasman
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.
| | - Rachel Kollin
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Michael Broman
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Guijin Lee
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.,Center for Behavioral Health and Justice, Wayne State University, 5201 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Elizabeth Agius
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Jamey J Lister
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, 120 Albany Street, Tower One, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Suzanne Brown
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Stella M Resko
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, 5447 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.,Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, Wayne State University, 71 E Ferry St, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
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Carswell N, Angermaier G, Castaneda C, Delgado F. Management of opioid withdrawal and initiation of medications for opioid use disorder in the hospital setting. Hosp Pract (1995) 2022; 50:251-258. [PMID: 35837678 DOI: 10.1080/21548331.2022.2102776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) has become increasingly prevalent among hospitalized patients in the United States and globally. As its prevalence increases, this provides a valuable opportunity for clinicians in the hospital setting to engage and initiate management and treatment of OUD. This article aims to provide hospitalists and other clinicians working in the hospital with a narrative review of the management of opioid withdrawal and the initiation of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in the hospital and provide an update on a novel low dose approach to buprenorphine induction (also commonly referred to as the "microinduction" method). Management can initially include treating withdrawal symptoms with opioids as well as with a combination of non-opioid medications such as alpha 2 agonists, benzodiazepines, and/or antiemetics as needed. Besides simply managing withdrawal symptoms, clinicians can further improve the care of patients with OUD through initiating maintenance treatment with MOUD, ideally with opioids used in the initial management of withdrawal. Opioid detoxification is an inferior method of primary treatment and is associated with relapse and poor outcomes. In contrast, treatment with MOUD using methadone or buprenorphine is associated with superior treatment outcomes and reduced relapse compared to detoxification alone. Treatment with MOUD using methadone or buprenorphine can be successfully used in the hospital setting. A novel low dose approach to buprenorphine induction may be useful in minimizing precipitated withdrawals in patients who have recently used or received opioids, which makes this an attractive option in the hospital where patients are frequently on opioids for acutely painful conditions. The hospital setting also provides a valuable opportunity for clinicians to address harm reduction in patients with OUD. Finally, clinicians can improve the long-term outcomes of patients with OUD by ensuring a smooth discharge with adequate and timely follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Carswell
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Giselle Angermaier
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Christopher Castaneda
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Fabrizzio Delgado
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
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31
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Bonifonte A, Garcia E. Improving geographic access to methadone clinics. J Subst Abuse Treat 2022; 141:108836. [PMID: 35870438 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Opioid misuse is a nationwide public health crisis. Methadone treatment is proven to be highly successful in preventing opioid use disorder, reducing the use of illicit drugs, and preventing overdoses. Clients acquire methadone daily from clinics, making geographic access crucial for the initiation of and adherence to treatment. METHODS This work estimates unsatisfied methadone demand due to lack of geographic access at a census tract level and models the problem of identifying optimal locations to open new methadone clinics. The objective function of the model is a weighted combination of providing access to individuals with unmet methadone demand and improving the travel time of individuals currently attending a clinic. Data on existing methadone clinics and statewide methadone demand is acquired from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) surveys from 2019. Unsatisfied demand is estimated through a linear regression model after aggregating the population, heroin use, and satisfied methadone demand at the state level. RESULTS Nationwide, we find 18.2 % of the United States population does not have geographic access to a methadone clinic and estimate 77,973 individuals in these areas would attend a clinic if geographic access barriers were removed (95 % CI: 67,413-88,532). In a case study of six Midwestern states, we find that geography significantly contributes to the value of opening additional clinics and we see large differences in expected gains between states sharing similar characteristics such as population and satisfied methadone demand. The number of additional clients served by opening one new clinic ranges from 180 to 804 across these six states, representing between 8.4 % and 16.2 % of state unmet demand. Between 1.2 % and 14.1 % of existing clients were reassigned with a single newly opened clinic, with a one-way average travel distance improvement between 6.3 and 11.9 miles / person / day for these clients. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate the large unserved methadone demand in the United States, the significant improvement in methadone access for new and existing clients that can be achieved by opening new clinics, and the important role state-specific geography plays in these decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Bonifonte
- Data Analytics Department, Denison University, Granville, OH, United States of America.
| | - Erin Garcia
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States of America.
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Corry B, Underwood N, Cremer LJ, Rooks-Peck CR, Jones C. County-level sociodemographic differences in availability of two medications for opioid use disorder: United States, 2019. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 236:109495. [PMID: 35605533 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differences in availability of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) buprenorphine and methadone exist. Factors that may influence such differences in availability include sociodemographic characteristics but research in this area is limited. We explore the association between county-level sociodemographic factors and MOUD treatment availability. METHODS County-level Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) data were used to determine the presence or absence of buprenorphine treatment or opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and the level of availability of these types of treatment in a county. Hurdle models were used to examine the associations of our covariates with any MOUD treatment availability and level of available treatment. RESULTS The odds of a county having OTP availability were higher for counties with higher percentages of non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations and higher drug overdose death rates. Counties with higher percentages of persons in poverty and drug overdose death rates had higher odds of maximum potential buprenorphine treatment capacity, while counties with high percentages of persons without health insurance, with disability, and rural counties had lower odds. CONCLUSIONS There are significant differences in the county-level availability of OTPs and buprenorphine treatment. Our findings expand on prior studies illustrating that barriers to accessing treatment persist and are not evenly distributed among sociodemographic groups, further study is needed to examine if barriers of availability translate to barriers in receiving treatment. Given the escalating overdose crisis in the U.S., expanding equitable availability of MOUD is critical. Informed strategies are needed to reach areas and populations in greatest need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Corry
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Natasha Underwood
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Laura J Cremer
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Cherie R Rooks-Peck
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christopher Jones
- National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Taylor JL, Laks J, Christine PJ, Kehoe J, Evans J, Kim TW, Farrell NM, White CS, Weinstein ZM, Walley AY. Bridge clinic implementation of "72-hour rule" methadone for opioid withdrawal management: Impact on opioid treatment program linkage and retention in care. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 236:109497. [PMID: 35607834 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methadone for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment is restricted to licensed opioid treatment programs (OTPs) with substantial barriers to entry. Underutilized regulations allow non-OTP providers to administer methadone for opioid withdrawal for up to 72 h while arranging ongoing care. Our low-barrier bridge clinic implemented a new pathway to treat opioid withdrawal and facilitate OTP linkage utilizing the "72-hour rule." METHODS Patients presenting to a hospital-based bridge clinic were evaluated for OUD, opioid withdrawal, and treatment goals. Eligible patients were offered methadone opioid withdrawal management with rapid OTP referral. OTPs accepted patients as direct admissions. We described bridge clinic patients who received at least one dose of methadone between March-August 2021 and key clinical outcomes including OTP referral completion within 72 h. For the subset of patients referred to our two primary OTP partners, we described OTP linkage (i.e., attended at least one OTP visit within one month) and OTP retention at one month. RESULTS Methadone was administered during 150 episodes of care for 142 unique patients, the majority of whom were male (73%), white (67%), and used fentanyl (85%). In 92% of episodes (138/150), a plan for ongoing care was in place within 72 h. Among 121 referrals to two primary OTP partners, 87% (105/121) linked and 58% (70/121) were retained at one month. CONCLUSIONS Methadone administration for opioid withdrawal with direct OTP admission under the "72-hour rule" is feasible in an outpatient bridge clinic and resulted in high OTP linkage and 1-month retention rates. This model has the potential to improve methadone access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Taylor
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jordana Laks
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paul J Christine
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica Kehoe
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Evans
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Theresa W Kim
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Natalija M Farrell
- Department of Pharmacy, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cedric S White
- Department of Pharmacy, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zoe M Weinstein
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Y Walley
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
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Priest KC, King CA, Englander H, Lovejoy TI, McCarty D. Differences in the delivery of medications for opioid use disorder during hospitalization by racial categories: A retrospective cohort analysis. Subst Abus 2022; 43:1251-1259. [PMID: 35670778 DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2022.2074601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background: As the drug-related overdose crisis and COVID-19 pandemic continue, communities need increased access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) (i.e., buprenorphine and methadone). Disparities in the type of MOUD prescribed or administered by racial and ethnic categories are well described in the outpatient clinical environment. It is unknown, however, if these disparities persist when MOUD is provided in acute care hospitals. Methods: This study assessed differences in the delivery of buprenorphine versus methadone during acute medical or surgical hospitalizations for veterans with opioid use disorder (OUD) by racial categories (Black Non-Hispanic or Latino vs. White Non-Hispanic or Latino). Data were obtained retrospectively from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for federal fiscal year 2017. We built logistic regression models, adjusted for individual and hospital-related covariates, and calculated the predicted probabilities of MOUD delivery by racial categories. Results: The study cohort (n = 1,313 unique patients; N = 107 VHA hospitals) had a mean age of 57 (range 23 to 87 years), was predominantly male (96%), and composed entirely of Black (29%) or White (71%) patients. White patients were 11% more likely than Black patients to receive buprenorphine than methadone during hospitalization (p = 0.010; 95% CI: 2.7%, 20.0%). Among patients on MOUD prior to hospitalization, White patients were 21% more likely than Black patients to receive buprenorphine (p = 0.000; 95% CI: 9.8%, 31.5%). Among patients newly initiated on MOUD during hospitalization, there were no differences by racial categories. Conclusion: We observed disparities in the delivery of buprenorphine versus methadone during hospitalization by racial categories. The observed differences in hospital-based MOUD delivery may be influenced by MOUD received prior to hospitalization within the racialized outpatient addiction treatment system. The VHA and health systems more broadly must address all aspects of racism that contribute to inequitable MOUD access throughout all clinical contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey C Priest
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Caroline A King
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Honora Englander
- Division of Hospital Medicine & Section of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Travis I Lovejoy
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.,Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA.,School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Dennis McCarty
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Mitchell P, Samsel S, Curtin KM, Price A, Turner D, Tramp R, Hudnall M, Parton J, Lewis D. Geographic disparities in access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder across US census tracts based on treatment utilization behavior. Soc Sci Med 2022; 302:114992. [PMID: 35512612 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. with deaths from opioid overdose occurring at a higher rate in rural areas. The gaps in the provision of healthcare services have been exacerbated by the opioid crisis leaving vulnerable populations without access to preventative care and education, harm reduction, both chronic and acute treatment of the symptoms of opioid use disorder (OUD), and long-term psychological support for those with OUD and their families. There has been a call in the literature -and a federal mandate-for increased access to opioid treatment facilities, but to date this access has not been operationalized using best practices in geography. Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) with FDA-approved methadone or buprenorphine has been shown to increase treatment retention, reduce opioid use and associated health and societal harms, and reduce opioid related overdose, and as such is considered the most effective treatment for OUD. The objective of this study is to examine U.S. adults' spatial access to MOUD - specifically locations of certified Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) and DATA-waived Buprenorphine providers. A gravity-based variant of the enhanced two-step floating catchment area model is employed, where friction of distance is based on previously published willingness to travel distances for patients visiting OTPs, to assess how opioid agonist treatment accessibility varies across the nation. Findings suggest that there are extensive 'treatment deserts' where there is little to no physical access to MOUD, especially in rural areas. The significance of this work lies in the incorporation of treatment utilization behavior in the access metric, and the continued confirmation of gaps in access to OUD services despite federal efforts to improve accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penelope Mitchell
- Department of Geography, Laboratory for Location Science, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.
| | - Steven Samsel
- Institute of Data & Analytics, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Kevin M Curtin
- Department of Geography, Laboratory for Location Science, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Ashleigh Price
- Department of Geography, Laboratory for Location Science, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Daniel Turner
- Department of Geography, Laboratory for Location Science, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Ryan Tramp
- Institute of Data & Analytics, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Matthew Hudnall
- Department of Information Systems, Operations Management, and Statistics, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Jason Parton
- Department of Information Systems, Operations Management, and Statistics, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Dwight Lewis
- Department of Management, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
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Cunningham CO, Zhang C, Hollins M, Wang M, Singh-Tan S, Joudrey PJ. Availability of medical cannabis services by racial, social, and geographic characteristics of neighborhoods in New York: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:671. [PMID: 35387635 PMCID: PMC8988426 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13076-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Within the United States (US), because racial/ethnic disparities in cannabis arrests continue, and cannabis legalization is expanding, understanding disparities in availability of legal cannabis services is important. Few studies report mixed findings regarding disparities in availability of legal cannabis services; none examined New York. We examined disparities in availability of medical cannabis services in New York. We hypothesized that New York census tracts with few Black or Hispanic residents, high incomes, high education levels, and greater urbanicity would have more medical cannabis services. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we used data from the 2018 US Census Bureau 5-year American Community Survey and New York Medical Marijuana Program. Main exposures were census tract characteristics, including urban–rural classification, percentage of Black and Hispanic residents, percentage of residents with bachelor’s degrees or higher, and median household income. Main outcomes were presence of at least one medical cannabis certifying provider and dispensary in each census tract. To compare census tracts’ characteristics with (vs. without) certifying providers and dispensaries, we used chi-square tests and t-tests. To examine characteristics independently associated with (vs. without) certifying providers, we used multivariable logistic regression. Results Of 4858 New York census tracts, 1073 (22.1%) had medical cannabis certifying providers and 37 (0.8%) had dispensaries. Compared to urban census tracts, suburban census tracts were 62% less likely to have at least one certifying provider (aOR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.25–0.57). For every 10% increase in the proportion of Black residents, a census tract was 5% less likely to have at least one certifying provider (aOR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.92–0.99). For every 10% increase in the proportion of residents with bachelor’s degrees or higher, a census tract was 30% more likely to have at least one certifying provider (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.21–1.38). Census tracts with (vs. without) dispensaries were more likely to have a higher percentage of residents with bachelor’s degrees or higher (43.7% vs. 34.1%, p < 0.005). Conclusions In New York, medical cannabis services are least available in neighborhoods with Black residents and most available in urban neighborhoods with highly educated residents. Benefits of legal cannabis must be shared by communities disproportionately harmed by illegal cannabis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinazo O Cunningham
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
| | - Chenshu Zhang
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Maegan Hollins
- Northwestern University, 633 Clark St, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Melinda Wang
- Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Sumeet Singh-Tan
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Paul J Joudrey
- Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
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Breve F, Batastini L, LeQuang JAK, Marchando G. Mobile Narcotic Treatment Programs: On the Road Again? Cureus 2022; 14:e23221. [PMID: 35449647 PMCID: PMC9012571 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.23221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Many Americans with opioid use disorder (OUD), do not have access to treatment. Mobile narcotic treatment programs are now under new regulations that may make treatment more accessible to more people. These mobile programs can help expand the reach of opioid agonist treatment for OUD, help reduce human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) and hepatitis C in the OUD population, and have retention rates that are often better than those at fixed-site clinics. Mobile services can also help reach marginalized individuals, the homeless, rural communities, and other underserved communities. They may offer methadone or buprenorphine treatment. Such mobile services have been used inside and outside the United States with promising results. In particular, mobile programs can make treatment available to people who do not have insurance, who lack reliable transportation, live in chaotic situations, or may be undomiciled. The potential pairing of mobile programs together with technology, such as smartphone apps or online resources, may allow mobile patients to benefit from counseling as well. Mobile clinics must be attached to a fixed-site narcotic treatment program and may have limitations with respect to the geographic area served. Mobile programs must have policies and procedures to store, transport, deliver, account for, reconcile, and dispose of opioid waste and would be subject to audit. Mobile opioid agonist therapy is an important and innovative service of particular value to underserved communities.
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Morgan JR, Quinn EK, Chaisson CE, Ciemins E, Stempniewicz N, White LF, Linas BP, Walley AY, LaRochelle MR. Variation in Initiation, Engagement, and Retention on Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Based on Health Insurance Plan Design. Med Care 2022; 60:256-263. [PMID: 35026792 PMCID: PMC8852217 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between cost-sharing and receipt of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is unknown. METHODS We constructed a cohort of 10,513 commercially insured individuals with a new diagnosis of opioid use disorder and information on insurance cost-sharing in a large national deidentified claims database. We examined 4 cost-sharing measures: (1) pharmacy deductible; (2) medical service deductible; (3) pharmacy medication copay; and (4) medical office copay. We measured MOUD (naltrexone, buprenorphine, or methadone) initiation (within 14 d of diagnosis), engagement (second receipt within 34 d of first), and 6-month retention (continuous receipt without 14-d gap). We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the association between cost-sharing and MOUD initiation, engagement, and retention. We calculated total out-of-pocket costs in the 30 days following MOUD initiation for each type of MOUD. RESULTS Of 10,513 individuals with incident opioid use disorder, 1202 (11%) initiated MOUD, 742 (7%) engaged, and 253 (2%) were retained in MOUD at 6 months. A high ($1000+) medical deductible was associated with a lower odds of initiation compared with no deductible (odds ratio: 0.85, 95% confidence interval: 0.74-0.98). We found no significant associations between other cost-sharing measures for initiation, engagement, or retention. Median initial 30-day out-of-pocket costs ranged from $100 for methadone to $710 for extended-release naltrexone. CONCLUSIONS Among insurance plan cost-sharing measures, only medical services deductible showed an association with decreased MOUD initiation. Policy and benefit design should consider ways to reduce cost barriers to initiation and retention in MOUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake R Morgan
- Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
- OptumLabs Visiting Scholar, OptumLabs, Eden Prairie, MN
| | - Emily K Quinn
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | | | | | | | | | - Benjamin P Linas
- Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Alexander Y Walley
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Marc R LaRochelle
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
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Zahra E, Chen R, Nielsen S, Tran AD, Santo T, Degenhardt L, Farrell M, Byrne J, Ali R, Larance B. Examining the cost and impact of dosing fees among clients in opioid agonist treatment: Results from a cross-sectional survey of Australian treatment clients. Drug Alcohol Rev 2022; 41:841-850. [PMID: 35130368 PMCID: PMC9398207 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) clients frequently bear costs associated with their treatment, including dosing fees. This study aimed to explore the financial and social impact of dosing fees upon clients. Methods Cross‐sectional survey of people who use opioids regularly (N = 402) between December 2017 and March 2018, conducted in Australia. Dosing fees were calculated and expressed as percentage of income, by OAT type. Consequences and strategies for difficulties making payments were examined as proportions. Results A total of N = 360 participants had ever been in OAT and N = 245 participants currently engaged in OAT reported data on dosing fees, of them 53% (n = 129) reported paying dosing fees. Compared to clients with high levels of dosing supervision, those with moderate or low levels of supervision were more likely to pay dosing fees. The median 28‐day dosing fee was AUD$110 (interquartile range AUD$80); median 28‐day income was AUD$1520 (interquartile range AUD$700). For those who paid dosing fees, the fee comprised <10% of total monthly income for 70% of participants; however, 23% of participants paid fees comprising 10% to <20%, and 7% of participants paid fees comprising 20% or more of monthly income. Among those that had ever been in OAT, 72% experienced difficulties in paying treatment costs; 36% left treatment earlier than intended and 25% had been excluded due to payment difficulties. Discussion and Conclusions Negative consequences of treatment costs to clients, particularly dosing fees, are evident. These costs impact treatment access and retention that may negatively impact clients' physical health, mental health and social wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Zahra
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rory Chen
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Suzanne Nielsen
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anh Dam Tran
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Thomas Santo
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jude Byrne
- Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League, Canberra, Australia
| | - Robert Ali
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Briony Larance
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
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40
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King CA, Cook R, Wheelock H, Korthuis PT, Leahy JM, Goff A, Morris CD, Englander H. Simulating the impact of Addiction Consult Services in the context of drug supply contamination, hospitalizations, and drug-related mortality. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 100:103525. [PMID: 34837879 PMCID: PMC8810590 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is increasing in international drug supply chains, and IMF-related opioid overdose deaths are rising in North America. Hospitalizations among patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) are also rising; and, hospitalized patients are at increased risk of overdose and death following hospital discharge. Hospitalization is a key opportunity to engage patients with OUD. Addiction consult services (ACS) can provide effective treatment for patients hospitalized with OUD. This study aims to estimate the effect of increasing IMF contamination on drug-related death among patients hospitalized with OUD, and simulate the role of ACS expansion to mitigate these effects. METHODS We used a Markov model to mirror care systems for adult patients hospitalized with OUD in Oregon, from the time of hospital admission through 12-months post-discharge, and simulated patients through modeled care systems to evaluate the expansion of Addiction Consult Services in the context of increasing IMF in the drug supply. RESULTS In a simulated cohort of 10,000 patients, we estimate that 537 patients would die from drug-related causes within 12-months of hospital discharge. In the context of increased IMF in the drug supply, this estimate increased to 913. ACS referral at baseline was 4%; increasing ACS referral to accommodate 10%, 50%, or 100% of hospitalized OUD patients in the state reduces drug-related deaths to 904, 849, and 780, respectively. The number needed to treat for ACS to avoid one drug-related death in the context of increased IMF was 73. CONCLUSIONS Hospitals should expand interventions to help reduce IMF-related opioid overdoses, including through implementation of ACS. In the context of rising IMF-related deaths, ACS expansion could help connect patients to treatment, offer harm reduction interventions, or both, which can help reduce the risk of opioid-related death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A. King
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
| | - Ryan Cook
- Dept. of Medicine, Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
| | | | - P. Todd Korthuis
- Dept. of Medicine, Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
| | - Judith M Leahy
- Oregon Health Authority, Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention, Public Health Division, Oregon Health Authority, Salem, OR
| | - Amelia Goff
- Dept. of Medicine, Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR,Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
| | - Cynthia D. Morris
- Dept. of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
| | - Honora Englander
- Dept. of Medicine, Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR,Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
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41
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Cooper HLF, Cloud DH, Fanucchi LC, Lofwall M, Young AM. Dismantling War on Drugs Policies in COVID-19's Aftermath. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:S24-S27. [PMID: 35143266 PMCID: PMC8842201 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2021.306680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L F Cooper
- Hannah L. F. Cooper and David H. Cloud are with the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. Laura C. Fanucchi, Michelle Lofwall, and April M. Young are with the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington. Laura C. Fanucchi is also with the Department of Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington. Michelle Lofwall is also with the Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington. April M. Young is also with the Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington
| | - David H Cloud
- Hannah L. F. Cooper and David H. Cloud are with the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. Laura C. Fanucchi, Michelle Lofwall, and April M. Young are with the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington. Laura C. Fanucchi is also with the Department of Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington. Michelle Lofwall is also with the Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington. April M. Young is also with the Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington
| | - Laura C Fanucchi
- Hannah L. F. Cooper and David H. Cloud are with the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. Laura C. Fanucchi, Michelle Lofwall, and April M. Young are with the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington. Laura C. Fanucchi is also with the Department of Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington. Michelle Lofwall is also with the Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington. April M. Young is also with the Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington
| | - Michelle Lofwall
- Hannah L. F. Cooper and David H. Cloud are with the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. Laura C. Fanucchi, Michelle Lofwall, and April M. Young are with the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington. Laura C. Fanucchi is also with the Department of Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington. Michelle Lofwall is also with the Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington. April M. Young is also with the Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington
| | - April M Young
- Hannah L. F. Cooper and David H. Cloud are with the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. Laura C. Fanucchi, Michelle Lofwall, and April M. Young are with the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington. Laura C. Fanucchi is also with the Department of Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington. Michelle Lofwall is also with the Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington. April M. Young is also with the Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington
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Wu LT, John WS, Morse ED, Adkins S, Pippin J, Brooner RK, Schwartz RP. Opioid treatment program and community pharmacy collaboration for methadone maintenance treatment: results from a feasibility clinical trial. Addiction 2022; 117:444-456. [PMID: 34286886 PMCID: PMC8748270 DOI: 10.1111/add.15641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Pharmacy administration and dispensing of methadone for methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) can expand treatment access for opioid use disorder (OUD). This study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of a novel model permitting an opioid treatment program (OTP) physician to prescribe methadone for OUD treatment through collaboration with a partnered pharmacy. DESIGN Non-randomized, single-arm, open-label feasibility trial. SETTING One OTP and one community pharmacy in the United States. PARTICIPANTS One OTP physician, two pharmacists and 20 MMT patients receiving between six and 13 take-home methadone doses at 5-160 mg/day. INTERVENTION Patients' methadone administration and dispensing of take-home doses was transferred from the OTP to the pharmacy for 3 months. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcome was medication adherence. Secondary outcomes were recruitment, treatment retention, substance use, counseling attendance at the OTP, pharmacist prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) use, safety and satisfaction. FINDINGS Of 29 patients eligible at pre-screen, 20 patients (69%) enrolled into the study. Recruitment occurred from 6 August 2020 to 10 October 2020. Treatment retention rate at month 3 was 80% (16 of 20). Two participants returned early to the OTP because of a work/schedule change, one due to pregnancy and one following a non-study-related hospitalization. Medication adherence among 16 patients who were retained was 100%. Intervention fidelity was 100%. All participants attended random call-back visits. None showed evidence of tampering/diversion of methadone. Pharmacists checked the PDMP at all visits. All participants attended psychosocial counseling as planned. There were no positive urine screens for illicit opioid use and no study-related adverse events. All participants endorsed 'pharmacy is the right location for receiving methadone for MMT', 88% endorsed 'convenient or very convenient to receive methadone at the pharmacy' and 88% were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of treatment offered. CONCLUSIONS This feasibility trial has found pharmacy administration and dispensing of physician-prescribed methadone for methadone maintenance treatment to be feasible and acceptable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Tzy Wu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA,Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA,Center for Child and Family Policy, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA,Duke Institute For Brain Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA,Corresponding author:
| | - William S. John
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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Jackson DS, Nguemeni Tiako MJ, Jordan A. Disparities in Addiction Treatment: Learning from the Past to Forge an Equitable Future. Med Clin North Am 2022; 106:29-41. [PMID: 34823733 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The Half-Century long problem of addiction treatment disparities. We cannot imagine addressing disparities in addiction treatment without first acknowledging and deconstructing the etiology of this inequity. This article examines the history of addiction treatment disparities beginning with early twentieth-century drug policies. We begin by discussing structural racism, its contribution to treatment disparities, using opioid use disorder as a case study to highlight the importance of a structural competency framework in obtaining care. We conclude by discussing diversity in the workforce as an additional tool to minimizing disparities. Addiction treatment should be aimed at addressing care delivery in the context of the social, economic, and political determinants of health, which require appreciation of their historical origins to move toward equitable treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle S Jackson
- Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 671 Hoes Lane West, 2nd Floor, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - Max Jordan Nguemeni Tiako
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. https://twitter.com/MaxJordan_N
| | - Ayana Jordan
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY. https://twitter.com/DrAyanaJordan
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Pustz J, Shrestha S, Newsky S, Taylor M, Fowler L, Van Handel M, Lingwall C, Stopka TJ. Opioid-Involved Overdose Vulnerability in Wyoming: Measuring Risk in a Rural Environment. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 57:1720-1731. [PMID: 35975873 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2112229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Between 2009 and 2019 opioid-involved fatal overdose rates increased by 45% and the average opioid dispensing rate in Wyoming was higher than the national average. The opioid crisis is shaped by a complex set of socioeconomic, geopolitical, and health-related variables. We conducted a vulnerability assessment to identify Wyoming counties at higher risk of opioid-related harm, factors associated with this risk, and areas in need of overdose treatment access to inform priority responses. METHODS We compiled 2016 to 2018 county-level aggregated and de-identified data. We created risk maps and ran spatial analyses in a geographic information system to depict the spatial distribution of overdose-related measures. We used addresses of opioid treatment programs and buprenorphine providers to develop drive-time maps and ran 2-step floating catchment area analyses to measure accessibility to treatment. We used a straightforward and replicable weighted ranks approach to calculate final county vulnerability scores and rankings from most to least vulnerable. FINDINGS We found Hot Springs, Carbon, Natrona, Fremont, and Sweetwater Counties to be most vulnerable to opioid-involved overdose fatalities. Opioid prescribing rates were highest in Hot Springs County (97 per 100 persons), almost two times the national average (51 per 100 persons). Statewide, there were over 90 buprenorphine-waivered providers, however accessibility to these clinicians was limited to urban centers. Most individuals lived further than a four-hour round-trip drive to the nearest methadone treatment program. CONCLUSIONS Identifying Wyoming counties with high opioid overdose vulnerabilities and limited access to overdose treatment can inform public health and harm reduction responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Pustz
- Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Shikhar Shrestha
- Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | | | - Melissa Taylor
- Public Health Division, Wyoming Department of Health, Cheyenne, WY
| | - Leslie Fowler
- Public Health Division, Wyoming Department of Health, Cheyenne, WY
| | | | - Cailyn Lingwall
- Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Atlanta, GA
| | - Thomas J Stopka
- Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
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45
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Joshi C, Ho Chui KK, Skeer MR, Stopka TJ. Spatial and Nonspatial Factors Associated with Access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder among Pregnant Women in Massachusetts. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 57:1904-1917. [PMID: 36219099 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2115852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In Massachusetts, one-third of pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD) do not receive medications for OUD (MOUD), such as buprenorphine and methadone. Research has demonstrated that broadly, access to medications differs by location and by socioeconomic and geographic characteristics of communities, but a comprehensive understanding at the micro-level is lacking. This study aims to identify and characterize access to MOUD treatment among pregnant women in Massachusetts. METHODS We used enhanced two-step floating catchment area analyses, which incorporated supply and demand measures, as well as local drive-time, to determine spatial accessibility to MOUD. We used four publicly available data sources to calculate geographic accessibility to MOUD. We then merged the resulting accessibility indices with data from the American Community Survey to statistically analyze ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) characteristics that were associated with geographic accessibility to MOUD among the study population. RESULTS We calculated access to 258 opioid (methadone and/or buprenorphine) treatment programs and 2,585 buprenorphine-waivered prescribers among 74,969 pregnant women during the period 2016-2020 in 448 ZCTAs (N = 537 ZCTAs). ZCTAs with lower accessibility to both types of MOUD were concentrated in Western Massachusetts. Central Massachusetts had poor accessibility to buprenorphine providers. Accessibility was greater in ZCTAs that were nonmetropolitan, that had higher minority status and langauge vulnerability, and that had less extreme concentration of privilege. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to improve MOUD access overall, and to enhance access to both types of medications, so pregnant women can choose the one that works best for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandni Joshi
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Levander XA, Pytell JD, Stoller KB, Korthuis PT, Chander G. COVID-19-related policy changes for methadone take-home dosing: A multistate survey of opioid treatment program leadership. Subst Abus 2022; 43:633-639. [PMID: 34666636 PMCID: PMC8810732 DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.1986768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background: In the United States, methadone for treatment of opioid use disorder is dispensed via highly-regulated accredited opioid treatment programs (OTP). During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal regulations were loosened, allowing for greater use of take-home methadone doses. We sought to understand how OTP leaders responded to these policy changes. Methods: We distributed a multistate electronic survey from September to November 2020 of OTP leadership to members of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) who self-identified as leaders of OTPs. We asked study participants about how their OTP(s) implemented COVID-19-related policy changes into their clinical practice focusing on provision of take-home methadone doses, factors used to determine patient stability, and potential concerns about increased take-home doses. We used Chi-square test to compare survey responses between characterizations of the OTPs. Results: Of 170 survey respondents (17% response rate), the majority represented leadership of for-profit OTPs (69%) and were in a Southern state (54%). Routine allowances and practices related to take-home methadone doses varied across OTPs during the COVID-19 pandemic: 80 (47%) reported 14 days for newly enrolled patients (within past 90 days), 89 (52%) reported 14 days for "less stable" patients, and 112 (66%) reported 28 days for "stable" patients. Conclusions: We found that not all eligible OTP leaders adopted the practice of routinely allowing newly enrolled, "less stable," and "stable" patients on methadone to have increased take-home doses up to the limit allowed by federal regulations during COVID-19. The pandemic provides an opportunity to critically re-evaluate long-established methadone and OTP regulations in preparation for future emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena A. Levander
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jarratt D. Pytell
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth B. Stoller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - P. Todd Korthuis
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Geetanjali Chander
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a treatable chronic disorder with episodes of remission and recurrence characterized by loss of control of opioid use, compulsive use, and continued use despite harms. If untreated, OUD is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Buprenorphine and methadone reduce fatal and nonfatal opioid overdose and infectious complications of OUD and are the first-line treatment options. Physicians have an important role to play in diagnosing OUD and its comorbidities, offering evidence-based treatment, and delivering overdose prevention and other harm reduction services to people who continue to use opioids. Interdisciplinary office-based addiction treatment programs support high-quality OUD care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Taylor
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, and Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jeffrey H Samet
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, and Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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Levander XA, Hoffman KA, McIlveen JW, McCarty D, Terashima JP, Korthuis PT. Rural opioid treatment program patient perspectives on take-home methadone policy changes during COVID-19: a qualitative thematic analysis. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2021; 16:72. [PMID: 34895346 PMCID: PMC8665717 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-021-00281-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, methadone for opioid use disorder (OUD) is highly regulated. Federal agencies announced guidelines in March 2020 allowing for relaxation of take-home methadone dispensing at opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to improve treatment access and reduce COVID-19 transmission risk during the public health emergency. We explored patient perspectives at three OTPs serving rural communities on how take-home policy changes were received and implemented and how these changes impacted their addiction treatment and recovery. METHODS We completed semi-structured individual qualitative interviews in 2 phases: (1) August-October 2020 and (2) November 2020-January 2021 (total n = 46), anticipating possible policy changes as the pandemic progressed. We interviewed patients with OUD enrolled at 3 rural OTPs in Oregon. Participants received varying take-home methadone allowances following the COVID-19-related policy changes. All interviews were conducted via phone, audio-recorded, and transcribed. We conducted a thematic analysis, iteratively coding transcripts, and deductively and inductively generating codes. RESULTS The 46 participants included 50% women and 89% had Medicaid insurance. Three main themes emerged in the analysis, with no differences between study phases: (1) Adapting to changing OTP policies throughout the pandemic; (2) Recognizing the benefits, and occasional struggles, with increased take-home methadone dosing; and (3) Continuing policies and procedures post-pandemic. Participants described fears and anxieties around ongoing methadone access and safety concerns prior to OTP policy changes, but quickly adapted as protocols soon seemed "natural." The majority of participants acknowledged significant benefits to increased take-homes independent of reducing COVID-19 infection risk including feeling "more like a normal person," improved recovery support, reduced time traveling, and having more time with family and for work. Looking to a post-pandemic future, participants thought some COVID-19-related safety protocols should continue that would reduce risk of other infections, make OTP settings less stressful, and result in more individualized care. CONCLUSIONS As the pandemic progressed, study participants adapted to rapidly changing OTP policies. Participants noted many unanticipated benefits to increased take-home methadone and other COVID-19 protocols including strengthened self-efficacy and recovery and reduced interpersonal conflict, with limited evidence of diversion. Patient perspectives should inform future policies to better address the ongoing overdose epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena A Levander
- Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Addiction Medicine Section, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road Mail Code - L475, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA.
| | - Kim A Hoffman
- Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, OR, USA
| | - John W McIlveen
- Oregon Health Authority State Opioid Treatment Authority, Salem, OR, USA
| | - Dennis McCarty
- Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - P Todd Korthuis
- Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Addiction Medicine Section, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road Mail Code - L475, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA
- Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, OR, USA
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Sun T, Aroke H, Kogut S, Katenka N, Bratberg J, Buchanan A. Early buprenorphine-naloxone initiation for opioid use disorder reduces opioid overdose, emergency room visits and healthcare cost compare to late initiation. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2021; 48:217-225. [PMID: 34780312 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2021.1981358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the effectiveness of buprenorphine-naloxone (BUP-NX) has been established, real-world evidence on the benefits of early treatment initiation is limited. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between early BUP-NX initiation and health-related outcomes among insured adults with opioid use disorder (OUD). METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database from 2010 to 2018. Patients who initiated BUP-NX within 30 days of OUD diagnosis were classified as early initiators. Patients who initiated BUP-NX later, but within the one-year follow-up, were defined as late initiators. Outcomes included opioid overdose, opioid overdose-related emergency department (ED) visits, and all-cause healthcare cost during the year after OUD diagnosis. We employed generalized linear models to compare outcomes between early and late initiators, adjusting for baseline covariates and accounting for missing information for covariates using multiple imputation. RESULTS A total of 8,388 patients with OUD were identified; mean age was 39.9 years; 36% were female; and 67.6% were early initiators. Early initiators had an estimated 42% lower rate of opioid overdose (adjusted rate ratio (aRR) = 0.58; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52, 0.64); 51% lower rate of opioid overdose-related ED visits (aRR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.55); and 31% lower total healthcare cost (adjusted cost ratio = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.72), compared to late initiators. CONCLUSION Compared to late BUP-NX initiation, early initiation was associated with a lower risk of opioid overdose and opioid overdose-related ED visits, and reduced total healthcare cost among insured adult patients with OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Sun
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Hilary Aroke
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Stephen Kogut
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Natallia Katenka
- Department of Computer Science and Statistics, College of Art and Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Jeffrey Bratberg
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ashley Buchanan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
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Mohammad I, Berri D, Tutag Lehr V. Pharmacists and opioid use disorder care during COVID-19: Call for action. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PHARMACY 2021; 5:203-213. [PMID: 34909605 PMCID: PMC8661525 DOI: 10.1002/jac5.1556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic relapsing condition characterized by problematic opioid use causing significant impairment in daily life. Medication for opioid use disorder using buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone with behavioral therapy reduces illicit opioid use and risk of overdose death. Despite evidence and decades of experience, barriers limit access to treatment and care for individuals with OUD. Barriers include a lack of treatment centers particularly in rural areas, regulations on buprenorphine prescribing, and stigma from the community and health care professionals. While many barriers are longstanding, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic‐forced isolation and associated stress has exacerbated challenges for individuals with mental health conditions such as OUD. Pharmacists are well‐positioned to bridge existing gaps in OUD care, particularly during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Roles for pharmacists include OUD risk identification and screening, referral of patients to treatment and support programs, ensuring medication access, expanding naloxone access, and advocacy initiatives. This review article identifies barriers to care for patients with OUD during the COVID‐19 pandemic and explores opportunities and resources for pharmacists to improve OUD care during the pandemic and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insaf Mohammad
- Department of Pharmacy Practice Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Wayne State University Detroit Michigan USA.,Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn Dearborn Michigan USA
| | - Dena Berri
- Department of Pharmacy Practice Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Wayne State University Detroit Michigan USA
| | - Victoria Tutag Lehr
- Department of Pharmacy Practice Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Wayne State University Detroit Michigan USA
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