Scholarlink

Background <p>Methadone treatment (MT) is the “gold standard” treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). However, patients face significant barriers to enrollment at opioid treatment programs (OTPs), e.g. need for proof of identity, lack of transportation, and limited intake hours. For patients experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, those barriers are magnified.</p> Objective <p>We created a multifactorial intervention to address the above-described barriers to facilitate prompt OTP admission for patients with OUD and housing instability.</p> Methods <p>Our target population was patients with OUD and unstable housing who utilize the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center mobile health unit (MHU) and syringe services program (SSP) in Lawrence, MA. As part of the HEALing Communities Study, we developed an expedited referral process whereby mobile health clinicians provided preliminary clearance for MT. SSP staff, recovery coaches, and OTP staff assisted with outreach, engagement, coordination, and intake. Patients who completed psychosocial intake could start dosing at the OTP within 1–3 days.</p> Results <p>Over six months, 87 individuals were linked to treatment and 64 were admitted and dosed at the OTP. Many patients who had previously assumed they could not seek treatment with methadone were eager to do so when barriers to access were reduced.</p> Conclusions <p>Efforts to reduce barriers to methadone initiation via partnerships between mobile health programs, SSPs, and OTPs can be a tool in combating the overdose crisis.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Expedited referrals from community health center to opioid treatment program: innovative approaches to improving access to methadone treatment for patients who use opioids and experience homelessness

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月2日

查看全文
  • Natalie Stahl,
  • Amy Bositis,
  • Carolyn Damato-MacPherson,
  • Rebecca Weiner,
  • Dianna Conole,
  • Ann Scheck McAlearney,
  • Henry M. Stadler,
  • Avik Chatterjee

摘要

Background

Methadone treatment (MT) is the “gold standard” treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). However, patients face significant barriers to enrollment at opioid treatment programs (OTPs), e.g. need for proof of identity, lack of transportation, and limited intake hours. For patients experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, those barriers are magnified.

Objective

We created a multifactorial intervention to address the above-described barriers to facilitate prompt OTP admission for patients with OUD and housing instability.

Methods

Our target population was patients with OUD and unstable housing who utilize the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center mobile health unit (MHU) and syringe services program (SSP) in Lawrence, MA. As part of the HEALing Communities Study, we developed an expedited referral process whereby mobile health clinicians provided preliminary clearance for MT. SSP staff, recovery coaches, and OTP staff assisted with outreach, engagement, coordination, and intake. Patients who completed psychosocial intake could start dosing at the OTP within 1–3 days.

Results

Over six months, 87 individuals were linked to treatment and 64 were admitted and dosed at the OTP. Many patients who had previously assumed they could not seek treatment with methadone were eager to do so when barriers to access were reduced.

Conclusions

Efforts to reduce barriers to methadone initiation via partnerships between mobile health programs, SSPs, and OTPs can be a tool in combating the overdose crisis.