Change in Drug Use Disorders Identification Test – Consumption (DUDIT-C) with Telehealth Treatment Compared to in-Person Treatment

Abstract

Background and Objectives: There is little published evidence for the effectiveness of telehealth in the treatment of substance use disorders. Methods: We analyzed Drug Use Disorders Identification Test – Consumption (DUDIT-C) scores from 360 patients who completed the measure as part of outpatient behavioral health treatment at rural clinic sites. Some patients received in-person care, while others received telehealth. Results were analyzed using multiple regression. Results: Mean DUDIT-C scores improved with treatment in both cohorts. Changes on the DUDIT-C were related to initial scores. Treatment modality (telehealth vs in-person) had no distinguishable association with outcomes. Discussion and Conclusions: Results showed no discernible difference in outcomes between telehealth and in-person cohorts. Telehealth was as effective as in-person care in the treatment of substance use disorders, and appears to be equivalent to in-person care in rural outpatient settings.

Keywords:

• Telehealth
• telebehavioral health
• drug use

Acknowledgments

The information, conclusions, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and no endorsement by OAT, HRSA, or HHS is intended or should be inferred.

Declaration of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the Rural Telehealth Research Center under cooperative agreements #UICRH29074 and #U3GRH40003. The Evidence Based Tele-Behavioral Health Network Program provided funding for delivery of telebehavioral health to these grantees providing services with the following grant numbers: Athol Hospital/Heywood Healthcare G01RH32149, Avera Health G01RH32150, Baptist Health Corbin Foundation G01RH32151, CentraCare Health System G01RH32152, Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. G01RH32153, Indiana Rural Health Association G01RH32154, Lester E. Cox Medical Center G01RH32155, Primary Health Network G01RH32156, Texas A & M University G01RH32158, University of California, Davis G01RH32159, University of Kansas Hospital G01RH32160, University of Maryland G01RH32161, University of Minnesota G01RH32157, West Virginia University Research Corporation G01RH32162. The Substance Abuse Treatment Telehealth Network Grant Program provided funding for delivery of tele-substance abuse treatment to these grantees providing services with the following grant numbers: Avera Health H1W-RH-31446, Union Hospital, Inc. H1W-RH-31447, Westbrook Health Services, Inc. H1W-RH-31448. This work is also supported by Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.