Title : Feasibility study of an opioid-helpline for high-risk individuals for opioid use disorder
Abstract:
Background: Evidence suggests that educational interventions provided by health care providers can be effective in altering patients’ attitudes towards pain management and in referral to addiction treatment when appropriate. Time constraints during visits limit the delivery of such important intervention.
Objective: This study aims to explore the feasibility and perceived value of an opioid helpline that provides educational resources to individuals suffering from or at risk for opioid use disorder.
Methods: We developed a helpline with a toll-free number “1-877 OPIOIDS (6437)” established through the University of Virginia which runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM and answered by a live answering service after hours. The helpline offered a range of services including opioid pain medication education, signs of overdose or withdrawal, and addiction treatment options. The helpline was supported by Outreach efforts to the surrounding counties. Questionnaires on perceived usefulness were sent to callers and providers who used or offered the helpline in their clinics. Survey data was analyzed to identify trends.
Results: Thirty-one consented individuals of 166 contacts were included in the study. While participants were referred to the helpline through a variety of sources, most were referred by a physician (38.7%). Most participants rated the helpline’s helpfulness with the highest satisfaction score (81.5%). Most individuals seeking addiction treatment found the helpline to be useful, whereas those referred by their physician (s) to gain more information about their opioid use and prevent escalation to addiction, felt it was an unnecessary step.
Conclusions: our pilot study showed that a helpline could be an additional tool to combat the opioid crisis. Both physicians and callers rated the intervention favorably. Our study shows that the most remarkable area of satisfaction for our participants is being able to reach a live person
What will audience learn from your presentation?
- Through this presentation, the audience will explore the feasibility of implementing an opioid helpline that provides educational resources to individuals suffering from or at risk for opioid use disorder.
- The audience will be able to assess the perceived value of an opioid helpline and identify the challenges providers and individuals may face when using an opioid helpline intervention
- The audience may use our findings of our opioid helpline model to better improve current resources to patients in areas plagued with the opioid epidemic.
