) were twice as likely to be treated and cured of HCV if they received facilitated telemedicine treatment within their opioid treatment program than if they were referred for off-site treatment, the results of a new study showed.
In a prospective cluster randomized clinical trial, Talal and colleagues assessed the impact of embedding facilitated telemedicine for HCV care into 12 opioid treatment programs in New York State. Telemedicine participants had an initial telemedicine encounter facilitated by study case managers onsite who also administered a blood test. The telemedicine clinician subsequently evaluated participants and ordered direct-acting antiviral medication that was delivered to the opioid treatment program monthly and dispensed along withIn the telemedicine group, 268 of 290 individuals initiated HCV treatment compared with 126 of 312 in the referral group.
In addition, illicit drug use decreased significantly among cured patients in both the telemedicine group . Adults in both groups rated healthcare delivery satisfaction as high or very high.