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Observational Study
. 2022 Dec:143:108896.
doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108896. Epub 2022 Oct 4.

Acceptability, feasibility, and outcomes of a clinical pilot program for video observation of methadone take-home dosing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Kevin A Hallgren  1 , James Darnton  2 , Sean Soth  3 , Kendra L Blalock  4 , Alyssa Michaels  4 , Paul Grekin  5 , Andrew J Saxon  6 , Steve Woolworth  3 , Judith I Tsui  4
Affiliations
Observational Study

Acceptability, feasibility, and outcomes of a clinical pilot program for video observation of methadone take-home dosing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Kevin A Hallgren et al. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Methadone is one of the most utilized treatments for opioid use disorder. However, requirements for observing methadone dosing can impose barriers to patients and increase risk for respiratory illness transmission (e.g., COVID-19). Video observation of methadone dosing at home could allow opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to offer more take-home doses while ensuring patient safety through remote observation of ingestion.

Methods: Between April and August 2020, a clinical pilot program of video observation of methadone take-home dosing via smartphone was conducted within a multisite OTP agency. Participating patients completed a COVID-19 symptom screener and submitted video recordings of themselves ingesting all methadone take-home doses. Patients who followed these procedures for a two-week trial period could continue participating in the full pilot program and potentially receive more take-home doses. This retrospective observational study characterizes patient engagement and compares clinical outcomes with matched controls.

Results: Of 44 patients who initiated the two-week trial, 33 (75 %) were successful and continued participating in the full pilot program. Twenty full pilot participants (61 %) received increased take-home doses. Full pilot participants had more days with observed dosing over a 60-day period than matched controls (mean = 53.2 vs. 16.6 days, respectively). Clinical outcomes were similar between pilot participants and matched controls.

Conclusions: Video observation of methadone take-home dosing implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic was feasible. This model has the potential to enhance safety by increasing rates of observed methadone dosing and reducing infection risks and barriers associated with relying solely on face-to-face observation of methadone dosing.

Keywords: Methadone; Opioid treatment programs; Remote therapeutic monitoring; Video directly observed therapy; mHealth.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Summary of technological components included in the platform used for asynchronous video-observed dosing of methadone take-home doses.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Patient flow throughout the clinical pilot program.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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