scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Journal ArticleDOI

Integrating primary medical care with addiction treatment: a randomized controlled trial.

10 Oct 2001-JAMA (American Medical Association)-Vol. 286, Iss: 14, pp 1715-1723
TL;DR: Individuals with SAMCs benefit from integrated medical and substance abuse treatment, and such an approach can be cost-effective.
Abstract: ContextThe prevalence of medical disorders is high among substance abuse patients, yet medical services are seldom provided in coordination with substance abuse treatmentObjectiveTo examine differences in treatment outcomes and costs between integrated and independent models of medical and substance abuse care as well as the effect of integrated care in a subgroup of patients with substance abuse–related medical conditions (SAMCs)DesignRandomized controlled trial conducted between April 1997 and December 1998Setting and PatientsAdult men and women (n = 592) who were admitted to a large health maintenance organization chemical dependency program in Sacramento, CalifInterventionsPatients were randomly assigned to receive treatment through an integrated model, in which primary health care was included within the addiction treatment program (n = 285), or an independent treatment-as-usual model, in which primary care and substance abuse treatment were provided separately (n = 307) Both programs were group based and lasted 8 weeks, with 10 months of aftercare availableMain Outcome MeasuresAbstinence outcomes, treatment utilization, and costs 6 months after randomizationResultsBoth groups showed improvement on all drug and alcohol measures Overall, there were no differences in total abstinence rates between the integrated care and independent care groups (68% vs 63%, P = 18) For patients without SAMCs, there were also no differences in abstinence rates (integrated care, 66% vs independent care, 73%; P = 23) and there was a slight but nonsignificant trend of higher costs for the integrated care group ($36796 vs $32409, P = 19) However, patients with SAMCs (n = 341) were more likely to be abstinent in the integrated care group than the independent care group (69% vs 55%, P = 006; odds ratio [OR], 190; 95% confidence interval [CI], 122-297) This was true for both those with medical (OR, 338; 95% CI, 168-680) and psychiatric (OR, 210; 95% CI, 104-425) SAMCs Patients with SAMCs had a slight but nonsignificant trend of higher costs in the integrated care group ($47081 vs $42795, P = 14) The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per additional abstinent patient with an SAMC in the integrated care group was $1581ConclusionsIndividuals with SAMCs benefit from integrated medical and substance abuse treatment, and such an approach can be cost-effective These findings are relevant given the high prevalence and cost of medical conditions among substance abuse patients, new developments in medications for addiction, and recent legislation on parity of substance abuse with other medical benefits

Content maybe subject to copyright    Report

Citations
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evaluated hospital-based healthcare resource utilization in adults involved in the criminal justice system with a history of opioid use disorder randomized to XR-NTX therapy compared with treatment as usual (TAU) during a 6-month treatment phase and 12months post-treatment follow up found XR -NTX did not significantly increase rates of healthcare utilization compared to TAU.

9 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Even in an insured population with good access to addiction treatment, individuals often receive ultimatums to enter treatment rather than being self-referred, and the characteristics of those receiving them could benefit from international and other comparative research.
Abstract: AIMS: Increased access to health care, including addiction treatment, has long been a goal of health reform in the U.S. An unanswered question is whether reform will change the way people get to addiction treatment; when treatment is easily accessible, do individuals self-refer, or do they still enter treatment via ultimatums, and if so, from which sources? To begin examining this, we used a single case study of a U.S. health plan that provides access similar to that called for in health reform. METHOD: Using a case study method of data from studies conducted in a large, private non-profit, integrated managed care health plan which includes addiction services, we examined the prevalence and source of ultimatums to enter treatment, and the characteristics of those receiving them. The plan is highly representative of changes to U.S. health care and other countries due to health reform. RESULTS: Many individuals entering addiction treatment had received an ultimatum stemming from employment, legal, medical, and family sources. Having more employment problems, an occupation with public safety concerns, being older, male, and ethnicity predicted an employment ultimatum. Higher legal problem severity predicted a legal ultimatum. More men (and younger people) had family ultimatums, and more women (and older people) had medical ultimatums. Being younger, male, married, having higher employment and family problem severity, and being drug or combined drug/alcohol dependent rather than dependent on alcohol-only predicted an ultimatum from one's family. On the whole, an ultimatum from one source was not related to having one from another source. Those most likely to receive ultimatums from multiple sources were women, those separated/divorced, and those having higher psychiatric and legal problem severity. CONCLUSIONS: Even in an insured population with good access to addiction treatment, individuals often receive ultimatums to enter treatment rather than being self-referred. Understanding the treatment entry process, and how it is affected by health care systems, could benefit from international and other comparative research.

9 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Despite high rates of testing for HAV, HBV, and HCV at a methadone maintenance program, approximately half of those with chronic HCV eligible for the HAV vaccine received it, and few of those eligible for HBV vaccine receivedIt.
Abstract: Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at increased risk for complications of liver disease if they become infected with the hepatitis A (HAV) or hepatitis B (HBV) viruses. The authors examined the rates of testing for HAV, HBV, and HCV, as well as rates of vaccination against HAV and HBV in patients with chronic HCV in a random sample (N = 207) of medical records of patients enrolled in a methadone maintenance program. Almost all patients reviewed were tested for HAV, HBV, and HCV. Of the 111 patients with chronic HCV, 53 (48.6%) and 68 (63%) lacked immunity to HAV and HBV, respectively. Of those lacking immunity, 29 (54.7%) and 2 (2.9%) were vaccinated for HAV and HBV, respectively. Despite high rates of testing for HAV, HBV, and HCV at a methadone maintenance program, approximately half of those with chronic HCV eligible for the HAV vaccine received it, and few of those eligible for HBV vaccine received it.

9 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Data from baseline, 3-year, and 5-year follow-up interviews were used to compare utilization and cost of medical care services for problem drinkers who received chemical dependence treatment and those who did not.
Abstract: Few studies have examined the long-term patterns of health services utilization and cost for alcohol use disorders. This paper used data from baseline, 3-year, and 5-year follow-up interviews to compare utilization and cost of medical care services for problem drinkers who received chemical dependence treatment and those who did not. The analysis examined overnight hospital stays, emergency room visits, and medical office visits. The unadjusted analysis indicates that in the year immediately preceding each follow-up period, a significantly higher percentage of the chemical dependency treatment group stayed overnight at a hospital or used ER services. In terms of medical office visits, a significantly lower percentage of the treatment sample had office visits at the 5-year follow-up, but otherwise no significant differences existed. Most of the significant differences between the two groups vanished when we controlled for covariates. Researchers, policy makers, and clinicians could benefit from such information to develop alternative delivery models, formulate research initiatives, and determine areas for potential intervention and improvement.

9 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Substance use disorders are associated with decreased odds of receiving outpatient care and equivalent or increased chances of receiving emergency and inpatient care for asthma, and outpatient-based strategies to improve asthma care may have a very limited impact.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: : National goals for improving asthma outcomes include decreasing emergency room utilization and increasing adherence to outpatient treatment guidelines. Few studies have examined the impact of substance use disorders on asthma treatment. The objective of this study was to describe correlations between substance use disorders and patterns of healthcare utilization for asthma care. METHODS: : We performed a retrospective analysis of 1999 Medicaid claims for adults with asthma from 5 states. Adjusted odds of receiving asthma treatment in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency settings were calculated for patients with substance use disorder (SUD). RESULTS: : Consistent patterns emerge demonstrating significantly lower odds of utilization of outpatient services for asthma in patients with SUD. A trend toward increased utilization of acute care resources was observed, with odds of emergency care for asthma significantly increased in New Jersey (odds ratio [OR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1-1.31) and Georgia (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.04-1.48), and odds of inpatient care for asthma significantly increased in Georgia (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03-1.95). CONCLUSIONS: : Substance use disorders are associated with decreased odds of receiving outpatient care and equivalent or increased odds of receiving emergency and inpatient care for asthma. Consequently, outpatient-based strategies to improve asthma care may have a very limited impact for this population. Identifying asthma patients with SUD in acute care settings and enhancing the care they receive in these settings may be necessary to improve adherence to treatment guidelines and decrease utilization in this population.

8 citations

References
More filters
Book
01 Jan 1993
TL;DR: This article presents bootstrap methods for estimation, using simple arguments, with Minitab macros for implementing these methods, as well as some examples of how these methods could be used for estimation purposes.
Abstract: This article presents bootstrap methods for estimation, using simple arguments. Minitab macros for implementing these methods are given.

37,183 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The clinical and research uses of the ASI over the past 12 years are discussed, emphasizing some special circumstances that affect its administration.

4,045 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: General population data from the National Comorbidity Survey are presented on co-occurring DSM-III-R addictive and mental disorders, with the finding that fewer than half of cases with 12-monthCo-occurrence received any treatment in the year prior to interview suggests the need for greater outreach efforts.
Abstract: General population data from the National Comorbidity Survey are presented on co-occurring DSM-III-R addictive and mental disorders. Co-occurrence is highly prevalent in the general population and usually due to the association of a primary mental disorder with a secondary addictive disorder. It is associated with a significantly increased probability of treatment, although the finding that fewer than half of cases with 12-month co-occurrence received any treatment in the year prior to interview suggests the need for greater outreach efforts.

1,424 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
18 Aug 1989-JAMA
TL;DR: The Medical Outcomes Study was designed to determine whether variations in patient outcomes are explained by differences in system of care, clinician specialty, and clinicians' technical and interpersonal styles and develop more practical tools for the routine monitoring of patient outcomes in medical practice.
Abstract: The Medical Outcomes Study was designed to (1) determine whether variations in patient outcomes are explained by differences in system of care, clinician specialty, and clinicians' technical and interpersonal styles and (2) develop more practical tools for the routine monitoring of patient outcomes in medical practice. Outcomes included clinical end points; physical, social, and role functioning in everyday living; patients' perceptions of their general health and well-being; and satisfaction with treatment. Populations of clinicians (n = 523) were randomly sampled from different health care settings in Boston, Mass; Chicago, Ill; and Los Angeles, Calif. In the cross-sectional study, adult patients (n = 22 462) evaluated their health status and treatment. A sample of these patients (n = 2349) with diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and/or depression were selected for the longitudinal study. Their hospitalizations and other treatments were monitored and they periodically reported outcomes of care. At the beginning and end of the longitudinal study, Medical Outcomes Study staff performed physical examinations and laboratory tests. Results will be reported serially, primarily inThe Journal. (JAMA. 1989;262:925-930)

1,139 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
02 Apr 1997-JAMA
TL;DR: This study provides the first direct evidence that physician intervention with problem drinkers decreases alcohol use and health resource utilization in the US health care system.
Abstract: Objective. —Project TrEAT (Trial for Early Alcohol Treatment) was designed to test the efficacy of brief physician advice in reducing alcohol use and health care utilization in problem drinkers. Design. —Randomized controlled clinical trial with 12-month follow-up. Setting. —A total of 17 community-based primary care practices (64 physicians) located in 10 Wisconsin counties. Participants. —Of the 17 695 patients screened for problem drinking, 482 men and 292 women met inclusion criteria and were randomized into a control (n=382) or an experimental (n=392) group. A total of 723 subjects (93%) participated in the 12-month follow-up procedures. Intervention. —The intervention consisted of two 10- to 15-minute counseling visits delivered by physicians using a scripted workbook that included advice, education, and contracting information. Main Outcome Measures. —Alcohol use measures, emergency department visits, and hospital days. Results. —There were no significant differences between groups at baseline on alcohol use, age, socioeconomic status, smoking status, rates of depression or anxiety, frequency of conduct disorders, lifetime drug use, or health care utilization. At the time of the 12-month follow-up, there were significant reductions in 7-day alcohol use (mean number of drinks in previous 7 days decreased from 19.1 at baseline to 11.5 at 12 months for the experimental group vs 18.9 at baseline to 15.5 at 12 months for controls;t=4.33;P Conclusions. —This study provides the first direct evidence that physician intervention with problem drinkers decreases alcohol use and health resource utilization in the US health care system.

839 citations

Trending Questions (2)
How much do substance abuse doctors make?

These findings are relevant given the high prevalence and cost of medical conditions among substance abuse patients, new developments in medications for addiction, and recent legislation on parity of substance abuse with other medical benefits.

Which type of facility is best for treating patient suffering with substance abuse?

CONTEXT The prevalence of medical disorders is high among substance abuse patients, yet medical services are seldom provided in coordination with substance abuse treatment.