Telemedicine and e-Health: The Association Between Telehealth Use During Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder and Clinical Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) represent a high-risk population due to increased rates of adverse health outcomes and death. In this retrospective cohort study within the Veterans Health Administration, telehealth use compared with in-person visits only was associated with reduced ED visits, inpatient admissions, and mortality. During buprenorphine treatment for OUD, telehealth as a point of contact with providers and the health care system may reduce more adverse health outcomes, potentially through improving treatment retention.