Remote Methadone Ingestion Surveillance Trial (RMIST)

Remote Methadone Ingestion Surveillance Trial (RMIST): A Novel and Practical Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Approach During and After the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

The Remote Methadone Ingestion Surveillance Trial (RMIST) will explore a potential method of methadone ingestion surveillance that may mitigate patient safety risks of take-home methadone treatment regimens while minimizing the risk of diversion and evaluating the acceptability and feasibility of these monitoring methods. The method utilizes an innovative existing technology.

The Remote Methadone Ingestion Surveillance Trial (RMIST) aims to evaluate the performance and acceptability of a remote methadone ingestion surveillance that may mitigate the patient safety risks of take-home methadone treatment regimens for opioid use disorder (OUD) while minimizing the risk of diversion. Data describing the monitoring performance and patient acceptability of the method will inform investigators of the feasibility of using remote surveillance technology to monitor medication for OUD and mitigate treatment barriers. This study will lay the groundwork for a safe and robust remotely monitored methadone treatment platform that addresses long-standing accessibility and acceptability barriers to treatment for OUD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be male or female, 18-65 years of age
• Currently receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD)
• Currently receiving a take-home methadone regimen of no more than three days per week (with or without COVID-19 exceptions)
• Possess an internet-connected computer or smartphone with a front facing camera.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Drug overdose requiring hospitalization within the last 12 months
• Currently or soon to be in jail or prison; currently on probation; currently in any inpatient overnight facility as required by court of law or have pending legal action or other situation that could prevent participation in the study or in any study activities
• Pregnant women
• Serious psychiatric disorders that would interfere with study participation as determined by the study site Medical Clinician
• Any participant that, according to the study team, may find it difficult to adhere to study procedures (e.g., no internet access, etc.) or are unable to operate the web-based platform for remote methadone ingestion