Virtual opioid agonist treatment: Alberta’s virtual opioid dependency program and outcomes

Original research
by
Day, Nathaniel, Maureen Wass & Kelly Smith

Release Date

2022

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

This paper introduces the unique virtual clinic model and describes outcomes from that model.

Findings/Key points

The VODP model demonstrated high levels of client satisfaction, rapid growth in utilization and positive preliminary clinical outcomes. Entirely virtual delivery of opioid agonist therapy is a promising option to facilitate access to evidence based treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in the context of a fentanyl overdose crisis, particularly for individuals living in rural or underserved areas.

Design/methods

Retrospective chart review

Keywords

Digital health
Rural/remote