JAMA Network Open: Use of and Retention on Video, Telephone, and In-Person Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic

JAMA Network Open: Use of and Retention on Video, Telephone, and In-Person Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that patients who were younger, male, Black, unknown race, Hispanic, non–service connected, or who had certain comorbidities were significantly less likely to receive telehealth. Those who were older, male, Black, non–service connected, or experiencing homelessness and/or housing instability were significantly less likely to receive video compared with telephone-only telehealth. The findings suggest that discontinuing or reducing audio-only telehealth access may disrupt treatment for groups with access disparities. Telehealth was also associated with increased retention for both new and continuing patients.