Pilot investigation of an electronic pillbox at a community opioid treatment program.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse
; 50(3): 328-333, 2024 May 03.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38557232
ABSTRACT
Background:
Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) permit patients to ingest daily methadone doses unsupervised and away from the clinic, a strategy that enhances treatment access and convenience but has the potential for mismanagement.Objective:
This retrospective review, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic (5/2020-1/2022), evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of a commercially available electronic pillbox to safely administer methadone take-home tablets in a large community-based OTP (census >500 people).Methods:
Study participants (n = 24; 54% male, 46% female; M age = 63 years) had recently received more take-homes per visit to support national social distancing directives, and were instructed that they could maintain these privileges by agreeing to use the pillbox.Results:
Results demonstrate good demand feasibility as most participants (71%) agreed to use the pillbox. Good implementation feasibility was observed through safe and reliable delivery of most take-home tablets, with a staff support line to resolve technical issues. Acceptability was modest as six participants (25%) requested to return the pillbox despite losing some take-home privileges.Conclusion:
Results support continued use and study of the electronic pillbox to safely deliver and increase access to methadone take-home doses.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Tratamento de Substituição de Opiáceos
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COVID-19
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Metadona
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Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Opioides
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos