Telemedicine opioid treatment offers increased access to life-saving medication and support for those struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD). Until the COVID-19 pandemic, providers could prescribe opioid medications to new patients with an in-person examination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the public health emergency (PHE) allowed providers to prescribe medications in a telehealth evaluation. Following the pandemic, the DEA and HHS have made this telemedicine flexibility permanent.
As a result, telemedicine has increased access for those who need opioid treatment programs but may have transportation barriers or limited access to treatment. A study published in JAMA Psychiatry notes that telemedicine is a valuable service and, when coupled with medications for opioid use disorder, can be lifesaving.
This article covers developing telemedicine technologies to help providers safely monitor patients remotely as they ease off opioids.
Telemedicine Opioid Treatment Options
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) cites that medications can help treat substance use disorders, sustain recovery, and prevent overdose. Opioid treatment programs use medicine in combination with counseling. Methadone and buprenorphine are two FDA-approved medications used to treat opioid use disorders by activating the opioid receptors, preventing withdrawal, and reducing cravings for opioids.
Since the pandemic, much research has surfaced on telemedicine for addiction treatment. A study published in JAMA Network found that Medicare beneficiaries who used telemedicine opioid treatment with medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) during the COVID-19 pandemic had a lower likelihood of fatal drug overdose. Another study reports that telemedicine opioid treatment improved the treatment of opioid disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, patients were likelier to stay on their medications and less likely to overdose, leading to support for expanding telemedicine opioid treatment access.
Telemedicine Opioid Treatment and Preventing Overdose Deaths
In December 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the U.S. life expectancy dropped to the lowest level since 1996 due to COVID-19 and drug overdose deaths. Telemedicine opioid treatment plans use methadone as it effectively reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. However, adjusting to the proper dosage can take time. In addition, the medicine can wear off at night, causing withdrawal symptoms and pain. That can increase the risk of resuming drug use and accidental overdose.
Remote overdose technologies are one potential solution to the rising overdose rates in many countries. A Washington State University pilot study showed that remote technologies for telemedicine opioid treatment could provide data about overnight restlessness and sleep problems for people recovering from opioid use disorder about 89% of the time.
Overdose Detection and Telemedicine Opioid Treatment
The timely administration of naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses. The CDC reports that naloxone can restore normal breathing in two to three minutes in a person whose breathing has slowed or even stopped because of an opioid overdose. That is if responders can administer it in time.
Currently, scientists are developing overdose detection and alert technologies to detect early signs of an overdose to facilitate timely responses. When readily available, these telemedicine opioid treatment devices can save lives. Therefore, researchers are working to pilot different technologies that can be tested and enhanced. Thus far, data indicates a willingness to use these devices by people who use opioids and the communities affected.
Vital sign monitoring devices under development to detect an overdose include:
- Smartphone-based solutions to prevent overdose
- Wearable biosensors and wireless technology
- App and sensor alert interventions
- Smartphone apps for those who witness an overdose
- An abdomen patch that monitors for signs of an opioid overdose
However, no definitive sensor or app-based technology is available for general use. Therefore, the following section outlines how currently available remote patient monitoring devices could be used for opioid addiction treatment.
Which RPM Devices are Used in Conjunction with Telemedicine Opioid Treatment?
As previously noted, telemedicine-based remote patient monitoring is an effective alternative to in-person opioid addiction treatment. While patients and caregivers wait for lifesaving devices to go to market, remote patient monitoring is another option that can assist in telemedicine opioid treatment. Such RPM devices are remote blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, and peak flow meters.
Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring
A remote blood pressure monitoring device allows patient vital sign data to be immediately transmitted to their healthcare provider to assess the data and act on the results as necessary. Care providers can set thresholds to receive timely alerts. For example, the platform automatically alerts the physician when a patient’s reading exceeds a set limit.
Remote Pulse Oximetry Monitoring
Monitoring oxygen saturation in the blood with a pulse oximeter can be used for telemedicine opioid treatment. The pulse oximeter reports respiration based on oxygen saturation readings with a fingertip pulse oximeter. It sends opioid monitoring data from the pulse oximeter through a cellular gateway device to the healthcare provider. FDA-cleared pulse oximeters provide clinicians with accurate blood oxygen levels, pulse rates, and perfusion index to help identify a crisis and further develop patient treatment plans.
Respiratory Wearable Devices
Wearable devices collect vital sign data even when a patient is asleep. Most commercial wearable devices measure at a single point of contact—for example, the wrist or finger. Devices can be used to prevent lethal outcomes of overdoses.
Are You Ready to Seek Treatment?
Please contact FindTreatment.gov. This is a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance use/addiction and mental health problems. Visit the Tenovi blog to review more summaries of recent telemedicine studies.
