Integrating Infectious Diseases Screening and Treatment With Medication Assisted Therapy for Veterans With Opioid Use Disorder
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
Opioid use disorder (OUD) confers a higher risk of acquiring and transmitting infectious diseases, which may have long-term health consequences in Veterans. Treatment of OUD with medication assisted therapy is highly effective, however this often occurs independently of infectious diseases care. This project will test out a new model that combines infectious diseases and OUD care within one VA clinic appointment. This new care model may improve the health of Veterans and reduce cost and time required for Veterans who often need to attend multiple outpatient appointments.
Description
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is associated with increased risk for overdose as well as acquisition and transmission of infectious diseases (ID), including HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI). Previous studies support improved clinical outcomes when integrating treatment for OUD and screening and treatment of HIV and HCV in non-Veteran populations. However, clinical care for Veterans with OUD often requires appointments with multiple different healthcare providers. These care silos place an increased burden on this patient population who often have bar…