The effect of telephonic patient support on treatment for opioid dependence: Outcomes at one year follow-up

Objective: The present study examined the impact of a telephonic patient support program known as HereToHelp (TM) (HTH) on compliance and treatment outcomes among opioid dependent (OD) patients new to buprenorphine treatment (BUP). Method: A total of 1426 OD patients new to BUP were randomized to receive BUP alone (standard care) or BUP plus the HTH patient support program. All patients completed the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) at the time of enrollment, and at 12 months post-enrollment. Results: Subjects randomized to the HTH support program who accepted at least 3 care coach intervention calls were more compliant with BUP than the standard care group at month 12 (64.4% vs. 56.1%, chi (2) = 5.09, p<.025 compared to patients who were non-compliant with bup compliant reported significantly lower scores on all of the asi composite indicating severity addiction-related problems. conclusions: hth intervention seemed improve patient treatment outcomes indirectly by improving compliance bup. supplementing a structured telephonic compliance-enhancement program is an effective way medication which then improves outcomes.>