Comparison of buprenorphine treatment by virtual-only vs. traditional clinicians 

Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment 

Few patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) receive medications for OUD (MOUD), such as buprenorphine. Given that many patients, particularly those in rural communities, do not live near a clinician who prescribes MOUD, telemedicine could increase MOUD access. However, clinicians and policymakers are concerned about the quality of the virtual-only model.  This study compared the care provided by virtual-only versus traditional clinicians.  The authors found few substantive differences in who used virtual-only care. For example, patients initiating buprenorphine with virtual-only versus traditional clinicians were equally likely to live in urban areas. Patients initiating buprenorphine with virtual-only clinicians had more visits in the 6 months after the initiation and were more likely to be on buprenorphine at 6 months, but had fewer days of continuous buprenorphine treatment. These results can inform ongoing debates about the strengths and weaknesses of virtual-only OUD care. 

 

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