During the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid treatment programs (OTPs) have been given some flexibility in dispensing methadone and using telemedicine and other patient services, such as audio-only telephone visits for individual counseling. Favorable outcomes and better patient care were seen in a Bronx OTP study, covered separately in these pages, but a study of views and responses … [Read more...] about OTP Clinicians’ Responses to Telemedicine and Changes in Methadone Service Delivery During COVID-19: A Qualitative Study
Reimagining Patient Care: Bronx OTPs Share Lessons Learned During COVID-19
When COVID-19 forced Bronx opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to change the way they operated, the OTPs made dramatic changes and saw better outcomes in just ten weeks. In an article published in March in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, the authors summarize their experiences and share what they learned. Background The Bronx has been the epicenter of the … [Read more...] about Reimagining Patient Care: Bronx OTPs Share Lessons Learned During COVID-19
Women with OUD Are at Risk for Poor Reproductive and Sexual Health Outcomes; OTP Staff and Providers Suggest Effective Interventions
Women with opioid use disorder (OUD) face many challenges, among them the risk of poor outcomes in conditions involving reproductive and sexual health (RSH). Factors contributing to risk include less use of contraceptives, a higher incidence of unintended pregnancies, and an increased chance of contracting sexually transmitted infections and passing them on. What can … [Read more...] about Women with OUD Are at Risk for Poor Reproductive and Sexual Health Outcomes; OTP Staff and Providers Suggest Effective Interventions
Study Report: Implementing Open Access in OTPs; A Good Idea? Counselors Share Their Thoughts and Experiences
Let’s say you’re a counselor in an opioid treatment program (OTP), and your methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program suddenly launches an open-access initiative. Within days eligible patients are enrolled—whether they can pay or not—and allowed access, whenever they want, to their choice of counseling and medical and vocational services. Good idea? Bad idea? What … [Read more...] about Study Report: Implementing Open Access in OTPs; A Good Idea? Counselors Share Their Thoughts and Experiences
Study: COVID-19 Threatens the Incarcerated With Loss of Life-Saving OAT Treatment
For people with opioid use disorder (OUD), getting into or staying in an opioid agonist treatment (OAT) program while in jail or prison has never been easy. But incarcerated populations now face a new challenge: the COVID-19 pandemic threatens access to treatment programs and their life-saving medications. Sachini Bandara, PhD, and her colleagues at Johns Hopkins, … [Read more...] about Study: COVID-19 Threatens the Incarcerated With Loss of Life-Saving OAT Treatment
