Applying Web Technology to Buprenorphine Treatment
Buprenorphine is available for the treatment of opioid-dependence via physician prescription, enabling the expansion of access to opioid treatment services. However, physicians, because of considerable demands on their time, are unlikely to be able to provide or coordinate referral to supplemental educational interventions that are critical to successful treatment. To address this challenge, an interactive, web-based patient education system for opioid-dependent individuals in office-based buprenorphine treatment is being developed.
In Phase I of this project, we demonstrated the scientific, technical and commercial merit and feasibility of this patient education system by developing several modules of the program, as well as the appropriate technology for the program to be delivered in an office-based setting. Results demonstrated that this system represents a viable approach to patient education in office-based buprenorphine treatment.
During this second phase, all educational modules of the system have been completed. In addition, a customization program that patients can use to help them identify the optimal order in which they may access the program modules is being developed. An electronic reporting system that will provide physicians with patient activity reports was established to enable the tracking of patient progress through the system and ensure that patients are compliant with ancillary educational interventions.
A randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this patient education system delivered via the Internet compared to the delivery of patient educational services by community-based treatment facilities outside of the office-based setting is being planned. This system will provide patients, physicians and the larger community with assurance that patients in office-based buprenorphine treatment are receiving ancillary services along with their medication, thereby improving their likelihood for a successful treatment outcome.