Comparing Telehealth and In-Person Outpatient Buprenorphine Treatment Following Emergency Department Visits for Opioid Use Disorder

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to compare long-term outcomes of buprenorphine treatment for patients with opioid use disorder OUD who start buprenorphine in hospital emergency departments. It evaluates whether referring patients to outpatient buprenorphine treatment via telehealth or in-person clinics leads to better treatment engagement, longer retention, and improved patient experience. The study addresses challenges faced by patients transitioning from emergency care to ongoing OUD treatment, including barriers like transportation and stigma. Participants will be randomized to receive referrals for outpatient OUD treatment either through telehealth phone or video visits or in-person clinics. The study takes place at three emergency departments participating in Californias CA Bridge program, which supports ED-based OUD care including counseling, naloxone provision, and buprenorphine initiation. Those in the telehealth arm receive outpatient treatment remotely, while the in-person arm involves local clinic visits. Both groups receive support from CA Bridge counselors for up to 30 days to help establish outpatient care. During the study, participants answer questionnaires at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months after their emergency department visit. Researchers will monitor prescription records to assess buprenorphine retention over six months, track drug-related overdose deaths, hospital visits, and patient experiences using validated surveys. The study also examines how patients feelings of stigma relate to treatment outcomes. Overall, the study seeks to inform better referral practices to improve long-term OUD treatment and reduce overdose risks.

Telehealth vs In-Person Evaluation of Addiction Treatment After Visiting the Emergency Department