TRTME: Improving Outpatient Initiation of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Following Hospitalization

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial to Improve Outpatient Initiation of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Following Hospitalization: The TRTME (Tailored Overdose Risk Feedback, Testimonials for MOUD Treatment, and Education on MOUD and Opioid Overdose) Trial

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the ability of TRTME to increase initiation of MOUD outpatient treatment and MOUD knowledge in hospitalized patients with OUD deemed to be good candidates for MOUD by the UCMC Addiction Consult Team (ACT). The secondary objective is to evaluate the ability of TRTME to decrease stigma and increase drug self-efficacy.

This is an intent-to-treat, two-arm, open-label, pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to TRTME or Control. Participants will receive the assigned intervention following randomization, will complete a post-assessment following treatment receipt, and will complete a follow-up phone call at approximately one month posthospital discharge.

All participants will complete assessments of their opioid-overdose and MOUD knowledge and their risk for experiencing an opioid-overdose during baseline. TRTME participants will be offered a 15-minute intervention in which a trained research staff member reviews personal feedback reports with the recipient to provide information on: 1) the items missed on the knowledge assessment; and 2) their personal overdose risk factors. TRTME participants will also have the opportunity to view short videos from patients talking about their experiences with methadone or buprenorphine treatment. Control participants will be offered two SAMHSA handouts.

Enrollment is expected to take place over a period of approximately 7.5 months. Duration of study participation will be approximately 5 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18 years of age or older;
2. A good candidate for methadone or buprenorphine treatment according to a member of the UCMC Addiction Consult Team

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Have a current planned discharge to a nursing facility
2. be currently in jail, prison, or any inpatient overnight facility as required by court of law or have pending legal action with high probability of incarceration or court-mandated inpatient treatment
3. Unable to demonstrate adequate understanding of study procedures during the consent process