Initiating Opioid Use Disorder Medication via Telemedicine During COVID-19: Implications for Proposed Reforms to the Ryan Haight Act.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Ryan Haight Act generally requires a clinician to conduct an in-person visit before prescribing an opioid use disorder (OUD) medication. This requirement has impeded use of telemedicine to expand OUD treatment, and many policymakers have called for its removal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning March 16, 2020, the requirement was temporarily waived. It is unclear whether clinicians who treat OUD patients perceive telemedicine to be a safe and effective means of OUD medication initiation.

Objective

To understand clinician use of and comfort level with using telemedicine to initiate patients on medication for opioid use disorder.

Design

National survey administered electronically via WebMD/Medscape's online clinician panel in fall 2020.

Participa

SUBMITTER: Huskamp HA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8553288 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature