“Get in and get out, get on with life”: Patient and provider perspectives on methadone van implementation for opioid use disorder treatment

Original research
by
Suen, Leslie W. et al

Release Date

2023

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

We conducted a qualitative study evaluating one opioid treatment program's experience, including benefits and challenges with implementing a methadone van, to inform future policy and clinical practice.

Findings/Key points

Both patients and providers perceived significant benefits with receiving OUD medications using methadone vans. Patients preferred dosing at the van over the clinic because they were able to “get in and out” faster. Both staff and patients appreciated being able to use phone counseling to connect with counselors which helped reduce in-person visits and streamline workflows. Providers also noted van implementation challenges, including daily van set up, urine drug testing, and delivering counseling to patients who lacked phones.

Design/methods

Interviews with 10 providers and 20 patients

Keywords

Barriers and enablers
Substitution/OAT
About prescribers
About PWUD