Provision of a remote telehealth opioid substitution therapy clinic in a regional Victorian community.
| Title: | Provision of a remote telehealth opioid substitution therapy clinic in a regional Victorian community. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Garry S; BSc (Hons), MBBS (Hons), FRACGP, Addiction Medicine Registrar, cohealth, Melbourne, Vic; Addiction Medicine Registrar, Western Health, Melbourne, Vic.; MacCartney P; MBBS, FRACGP, FAChAM, Addiction Medicine Specialist, cohealth, Melbourne, Vic.; Membrey D; MBBS (Hons), DCH, FRACGP, FAChAM, Addiction Medicine Specialist, cohealth, Melbourne, Vic.; Gallienne R; BSW, BAppSc (MedRad), PGDip Health Promotion, BAppMgt, General Manager of Community Health and Wellbeing, Sunraysia Community Health Services, Mildura, Vic.; Molloy P; BPharm, MPH, Grad Cert AOD Studies, Pharmacotherapy Network Manager, Orticare, Ballarat, Vic.; Naren T; MBBS, MHM, MPH, FACRRM, FRACGP, FASLM, GAICD, Addiction Medicine Advanced Trainee, Western Health, St Albans, Vic; Host, Cracking Addiction Podcast. |
| Source: | Australian journal of general practice [Aust J Gen Pract] 2025 May; Vol. 54 (5), pp. 311-314. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Country of Publication: Australia NLM ID: 101718099 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2208-7958 (Electronic) NLM ISO Abbreviation: Aust J Gen Pract Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: East Melbourne, Victoria : Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, [2018]- |
| MeSH Terms: | Opiate Substitution Treatment*/methods; Telemedicine/trends ; Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy ; Humans ; Victoria ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Health Services Accessibility |
| Abstract: | Background: Patient demand for alcohol and other drug services currently far outstrips the capacity of the sector, a challenge that becomes more pronounced in regional and rural areas where specialist services are minimal.; Objective: This paper describes a model of a telehealth-based opioid substitution therapy (OST) clinic, established in partnership between three Victorian health services. A retrospective file audit was conducted of the electronic medical records of patients enrolled through the clinic.; Discussion: With local coordination, the clinic has reviewed and commenced 23 patients on OST, all via telehealth consultations with addiction medicine specialists based remotely. The clinic's preliminary successes supporting patients on OST locally demonstrates an innovative solution to a longstanding problem. The small sample size requires that further study is necessary; however, the feasibility of this model shows how patients in regional and rural areas can have similar access to OST as their metropolitan counterparts. |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20250505 Date Completed: 20250505 Latest Revision: 20260503 |
| Update Code: | 20260503 |
| DOI: | 10.31128/AJGP-11-24-7467 |
| PMID: | 40320811 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article