Buprenorphine shared medical appointments for the treatment of opioid dependence in a homeless clinic. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Doorley, Sara L.; Ho, Cheryl J.; Echeverria, Elizabeth; Preston, Charles; Ngo, Huy; Kamal, Ahmad; Cunningham, Chinazo O.
• Is Part Of: Substance abuse. Volume 38:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 26
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Buprenorphine -- group visit -- homeless -- office-based treatment -- shared medical appointment; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Medical education -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- periodicals; Substance Abuse -- periodicals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2016.1264535
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0889-7077

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Opioid misuse and dependence are prevalent and rising problems in the United States. Treatment with buprenorphine is a successful treatment option for individuals with opioid dependence. This study describes and preliminarily evaluates a unique delivery system that provides buprenorphine treatment via a shared medical appointment. Methods : A retrospective medical record review on all 77 opioid-dependent patients referred for a buprenorphine shared medical appointment in a homeless clinic from 2010 to 2012. Results : Most patients were currently homeless (61%), unemployed (92%), had an Axis I psychiatric diagnosis (81%), and had recent polysubstance use (53%). Of the 77 patients, 95% attended at least 1 shared medical appointment. Treatment retention at 12 and 24 weeks was 86% and 70%, respectively. Conclusions : In a patient population with complex social and mental health histories, buprenorphine treatment via a shared medical appointment had high retention rates. Findings can help guide the development of unique delivery systems to serve real-world complex patients with opioid dependence.