Women and opioid use disorder treatment: A scoping review of experiences, use of patient-reported experience measures, and integration of person-centred care principles.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are an important aspect of assessing and improving women's experiences of person-centred care during treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). This scoping review aimed to 1) examine the extent, type, and characteristics of evidence regarding women's OUD treatment experiences, and 2) describe the extent to which PREMs and person-centred care principles are incorporated within research methods. METHODS: Following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), we conducted a scoping review to identify peer-reviewed articles on women's OUD treatment experiences. Data were extracted from 39 included studies and synthesised based on study design, method of assessment/analysis (including use of PREMs), key findings, and the integration of person-centred care principles. RESULTS: Analysis of included studies revealed a predominance of qualitative research focused on women's experiences of pharmacological OUD treatment (methadone and/or buprenorphine) in Western countries. Women in these studies reported predominantly negative or mixed experiences of treatment. Few studies used validated PREMs and there was a lack of direct assessment or focus on recognised person-centred care principles. However, common categories of outcomes/findings identified in results across studies broadly aligned with person-centred care principles (e.g., fast access to reliable healthcare, effective treatment by trusted professionals), emphasising their applicability to women's experiences of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although there has been an increased focus on women's experiences of treatment for OUD in recent years, results highlighted room for improvement regarding the systematic and comprehensive assessment of women's experiences across different contexts. Given the often negative or mixed experiences reported by women, an increased focus on assessing service provision through a person-centred care lens (including utilising PREMs) may allow for service improvements or adaptations targeted towards the needs and experiences of women.

Preliminary psychometric evaluation of the patient reported experience measure for addiction treatment (PREMAT).

INTRODUCTION: Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are recommended for use in evaluating person-centred care. To date, a PREM has not been validated for residential alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment. Utilising items developed through a previously published qualitative study informing the development of the PREM for Addiction Treatment (PREMAT), the current study conducted a psychometric evaluation and validation of the PREMAT. DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross-sectional survey data were collected from six Australian residential AOD treatment facilities (N = 178). Psychometric evaluation included examining the factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the PREMAT. Test re-test reliability was conducted at one treatment site (n = 24). RESULTS: The total PREMAT score demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.91). Principle components analysis identified six factors (all α > 0.72). The PREMAT total score and factor scores were negatively skewed. Concurrent validity was demonstrated by strong positive correlations with measures of satisfaction (ρ = 0.81, Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8; ρ = 0.78, Treatment Perceptions Questionnaire), and divergent validity was demonstrated with weaker correlations with Drug-Taking Confidence Questionnaire (ρ = 0.25) and Kessler-10 (ρ = -0.20). Test-retest reliability was strong for the total PREMAT (ρ = 0.89). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Results support the use of the PREMAT as a valid measure of experience in residential AOD treatment settings. Future research should examine the use of the PREMAT across the course of treatment to examine if experience is related to client characteristics, outcome, dropout or re-engagement in treatment.

Routine outcome measurement in specialist non-government alcohol and other drug treatment services: Establishing effectiveness indicators for the NADAbase.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The collection of routine outcome measurement (ROM) data provides an opportunity for service providers to conduct benchmarking to inform quality assurance practices. To conduct comparative benchmarking, it is important that services have access to comparative data. This paper aims to establish effectiveness indicators for ROM data collected within the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector. DESIGN AND METHODS: ROM data were collected by specialist non-government AOD treatment services within the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies online database (i.e. NADAbase). All participants were attending treatment within New South Wales, Australia (N = 21 572). Effectiveness indicators were calculated by using effect sizes, standard error of measurement, and rates of reliable and clinically significant change. The study focused on quality of life (EUROHIS Quality of Life Scale), psychological distress (Kessler-10) and substance dependence (Substance Dependence Scale). RESULTS: Since 2010, 21 572 unique people have completed at least one NADAbase Client Outcome Measure. Amphetamines (36%) and alcohol (32%) were the most commonly reported primary substances of concern. Effectiveness indicators were established for the total sample, as well as for people attending residential rehabilitation (n = 8161) and community-based (n = 10 306) treatment services. Standard error of measurement was the least stringent effectiveness indicator (i.e. a higher proportion of people demonstrated improvement), while the clinically significant change was the most stringent approach. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the utility of the NADAbase to establish effectiveness indicators for benchmarking purposes. Recommendations are provided for the use of benchmarking to inform quality assurance activities in the sector.