Article Title: Telemedication for Opioid Use Disorder: A New Approach for Treatment
Authors: Rebecca A. Georgiadis, Paige Sable, and Daniel Rosen
In ‘Telemedication for Opioid Use Disorder: A New Approach for Treatment’, the authors explore how medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment delivery at an urban federally qualified health center (FQHC) has been shaped and transformed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although attendance at MOUD appointments and urine drug screen completion rates trended downward during fully remote care, they approached pre-pandemic levels with the implementation of hybrid services.
Key Insights:
· Although the transition to remote care introduced some new barriers to treatment (e.g. the necessity of reliable technology to access the telehealth platform), it effectively addressed pre-existing barriers to MOUD treatment and maintained steady enrollment in care.
· A hybrid model of tele-MOUD offers a means for patients to customize their care based on their specific needs.