SSM – Population Health: The Impact of Increased Telehealth Use on the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic

SSM – Population Health: The Impact of Increased Telehealth Use on the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This retrospective study utilized electronic health record data to examine the impact of telehealth (TH) on substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, namely medications for SUD prescribing, drug-related events, and mental health crises. The study found that TH usage surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, clinicians with high TH use had lower SUD-related hospitalization rates, and patients of high TH clinicians had longer days’ supply of SUD medications. Additionally, telehealth maintained similar rates of adverse events as in-person care.