Increased Attendance During Rapid Implementation of Telehealth for Substance Use Disorders During COVID-19 at the Largest Public Hospital System in the United States.
Lynsey AvaloneCarla KingDennis PopeoCharles PerkelChidinma J AbaraRebecca Linn-WaltonVladimir GascaLaurie VitaglianoCharles BarronOmar FattalPublished in: Substance use & misuse (2022)
In this study, outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) telehealth appointments were associated with higher odds of visit completion compared with in-person visits during and prior to COVID-19. Patients receiving buprenorphine, without prior in person visits, were more likely to attend if they did not have in-person visits prior to COVID-19. Regulators should consider permanently adopting telehealth flexibilities for SUD treatment once the federal emergency status has ended.