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Collaborative Care for Polysubstance Use in Primary Care Settings (Co-Care)

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Substance Use
Interventions
Other: Education and support for primary care providers (PCPS)
Other: Nurse Care Manager (NCM) visits
Other: Patient educational materials
Other: Addiction specialist consultant
Other: Health coaching sessions
Registration Number
NCT06116266
Lead Sponsor
NYU Langone Health
Brief Summary

The purpose of this trial is to test the efficacy of a collaborative care intervention to address opioid- and/or stimulant-involved polysubstance use in adult primary care patients with moderate to severe substance use disorders (SUD). The primary aims are to reduce days of opioid use (illicit or nonmedical opioid use), days of illicit stimulant use (cocaine, methamphetamine), and days of heavy alcohol use.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
350
Inclusion Criteria
  • Licensed medical professional (MD, DO, NP, PA) who is able to prescribe controlled substances (Schedule III), or medical trainee meeting the requirements below.
  • Serves as a primary care provider to adult patients (18 years of age and over) of the study clinic(s) during direct patient care sessions.
  • Willing to be randomized to either of the study conditions. a. Medical trainees (physicians who are residents or fellows), are eligible if they have at least one continuity clinic session per week on average in the study clinic. Trainees must have plans to be working in a study clinic for approximately 8 months or longer. They must be able to provide prescriptions for controlled substances (Schedule III) either directly or through their preceptor(s).

Patient Inclusion Criteria:

  • The participant's PCP is enrolled in the study.
  • Age 18 years or older.
  • Spoken and written proficiency in language of study materials, as determined by patient self-report and research staff evaluation.
  • Moderate to severe substance use disorder for opioids, stimulants, and/or alcohol, (defined as meeting four or more DSM-5 criteria per substance as measured on the CIDI-adapted for DSM-5).
  • a) Patients having alcohol use disorder without an opioid or stimulant SUD are required to have current opioid or stimulant use, as measured on the TAPS tool or baseline monthly survey.
  • Current polysubstance use, defined as self-reported use of two or more substances of concern in the past 30 days, at least one of which is required to be an opioid or stimulant. Substances of concern include opioids (illicit opioids, nonmedical use of prescription opioids), stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine), alcohol (heavy drinking defined as more than 5 for men and 4 for women drinks on a single occasion), and benzodiazepines (nonmedical use). Nonmedical use includes using prescription medications more than prescribed, or that were not prescribed to the individual taking them.
  • Patients must report on the baseline monthly survey use in the past 30 days of at least one substance at or above the following thresholds: >10 days for opioids; >10 days for alcohol heavy drinking; >7 days for stimulants. These minimum thresholds reflect levels of use that are typical for individuals with moderate to severe SUD, and are lower for stimulants than for opioids and alcohol to reflect the different patterns of use that are observed in prior trials.
  • Access to a reliable cell phone or willing to accept a phone as part of the incentive for completing the baseline visit (as determined by patient self-report).
  • Able to provide sufficient contact information (minimum of one locator).
  • Willing and able to provide written informed consent.

PCP

Exclusion Criteria
  • Definite plan to resign from the clinic in the next eight months, per PCP self-report. Residents and fellows will need at least eight months before training completion to enroll.

Patient Exclusion Criteria:

  • Currently being treated with medication for OUD (MOUD), and do not have moderate to severe AUD or StUD
  • Initiated MOUD treatment (buprenorphine, methadone, or XR-NTX) within the 30 days prior to screening, per patient self-report. Because substance use may fall rapidly with the initiation of MOUD, patients who recently started MOUD may already be in the process of making changes to their substance use that are not attributable to the intervention.
  • a) Initiation is defined as starting a new MOUD treatment episode, after not receiving MOUD treatment in the prior 30 days
  • Initiated a SUD treatment program within the 30 days prior to screening, per patient self-report. Because substance use may fall rapidly with the initiation of a treatment program, patients who recently initiated treatment may already be making changes to their substance use that are not attributable to the intervention. SUD treatment program includes outpatient or residential programs for alcohol/drug treatment; does not include detox or short-term inpatient episodes (<15 days), or peer support (e.g., 12-Step Program such as AA/NA, Smart Recovery)
  • a) Initiation is defined as starting a new treatment episode, after not being in a SUD treatment program in the prior 30 days
  • Pregnancy, as determined by patient self-report.
  • Are currently in jail, prison, or other overnight facility as required by court of law or have pending legal action that could prevent participation in study activities
  • Definite plan to leave the area or the clinical practice within the next six months, per patient self-report.
  • Other factors that may cause harm or increased risk to the participant or close contacts or preclude the patient's full adherence with or completion of the study (e.g. unstable/severe acute mental illness).

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Co-CareNurse Care Manager (NCM) visitsPatient participants with providers will receive primary care treatment plus the full Co-Care intervention which includes: Nurse Care Manager (NCM) visits, Addiction specialist consultations through NCM if indicated, and Health coaching sessions.
Enhanced Usual Care (EUC)Education and support for primary care providers (PCPS)Patient participants with providers will receive primary care treatment as usual plus educational materials.
Co-CareEducation and support for primary care providers (PCPS)Patient participants with providers will receive primary care treatment plus the full Co-Care intervention which includes: Nurse Care Manager (NCM) visits, Addiction specialist consultations through NCM if indicated, and Health coaching sessions.
Enhanced Usual Care (EUC)Patient educational materialsPatient participants with providers will receive primary care treatment as usual plus educational materials.
Co-CareAddiction specialist consultantPatient participants with providers will receive primary care treatment plus the full Co-Care intervention which includes: Nurse Care Manager (NCM) visits, Addiction specialist consultations through NCM if indicated, and Health coaching sessions.
Co-CareHealth coaching sessionsPatient participants with providers will receive primary care treatment plus the full Co-Care intervention which includes: Nurse Care Manager (NCM) visits, Addiction specialist consultations through NCM if indicated, and Health coaching sessions.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Total days of use of opioids, stimulants, and alcohol heavy drinkingMonth 4-6

Days of opioid use are defined as days with any use of heroin or synthetic opioids, or nonmedical use of prescription opioids. Nonmedical use includes using prescription opioids more than prescribed (e.g., taking two tablets when the prescription indicates a dose of one tablet) or taking pharmaceutical opioids that were not prescribed to the individual taking them. Days of stimulant use are defined as days with any use of cocaine or methamphetamine. Days of alcohol heavy drinking are defined as days with 5+ drinks/day for men, 4+ drinks/day for women.

This outcome measure is collected using single item questions based on the Addiction Severity Index.

Patient participants are asked to specify the number of days of use in the past 30 days (range is 0-30 days, value=0 for substances that were not used). The assessment is self-administered using a computerized form.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Proportion of patients with receipt of a prescription for a medication used for SUD treatmentMonth 12

Medication for SUD is defined as any medication for OUD, AUD, or StUD. This measures is collected from the electronic health record.

Proportion of patients attending behavioral health visit(s) addressing substance useMonth 12

This measure is based on behavioral health visits addressing substance use that occurred in the study clinic(s), as documented in the electronic health record.

StUD symptom score from the Modified World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) questionnaireMonth 6

The CIDI questionnaire measures severity of symptoms for three categories of substance use disorders (SUD); OUD, StUD, and AUD. The StUD category in the questionnaire is comprised of 15 yes/no items. The StUD symptom score is calculated by finding the sum of the items marked "Yes". StUD scores are interpreted as follows: 0-1 (subthreshold), 2-3 (mild use disorder), 4-5 (moderate use disorder), and 6+ (severe use disorder).

Overdose Risk Behavior Questionnaire scoreMonth 12

The Overdose Risk Behavior Questionnaire is a 9-item self-administered questionnaire. These questions measure the frequency, in the past 6 months, at which individuals used alone; used in a new place/environment; used other substances (alcohol, benzodiazepines, stimulants) within 2 hours of opioids; used more than one opioid; used more than the usual amount; and used inhaled or injected opioids. Response options were "never (0)," "rarely (1)," "sometimes (2)," "often (3)," and "very often (4)," except for #6, which was "never (0)," "once (1)," or "more than once (2)." The total risk score is an aggregation of responses to the individual questions. Sum score range: 0-32, higher scores indicate greater risk of overdose.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scoreMonth 12

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) is a seven-item instrument that is used to measure or assess the severity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The whole scale score can range from 0 to 21 Score 5-9: Mild Anxiety. Score 10-14: Moderate Anxiety. Score greater than 15: Severe Anxiety.

Number of days of nonmedical benzodiazepine useMonths 10-12

Nonmedical benzodiazepine use is defined as taking benzodiazepines that were not prescribed to the individual taking them.

This outcome measure will be measured using single item questions based on the Addiction Severity Index. "During the past 30 days, on how many days did you use \[substance name\]?" The question will be asked separately for each substance type. Patient participants are asked to specify the number of days of use in the past 30 days (range is 0-30 days, value=0 for substances that were not used). The assessment is self-administered using a computerized form.

Treatment Effectiveness Assessment (TEA) total scoreMonth 12

The Treatment Effectiveness Assessment (TEA) is a 4-item patient-reported outcome measure of progress in treatment and recovery in the four following domains: substance use, health, lifestyle, and community involvement. Each domain is assessed with a single item and scored on a scale of 1-10 (higher scores indicate better progress). The total score is calculated using the sum of numerical responses for the four domains and can range from four (not well at all on all domains) to 40 (extremely well on all domains).

Average days of abstinence from any unhealthy use of opioids, stimulants, and alcoholMonth 12

Days of abstinence from substances of concern is measured as part of the Addiction Severity Index. At the end of the substance specific questions, patient participants who reported use of more than one substance of concern will be asked: "On how many days did you use none of these \[insert names of all substances with 1+ days of use reported\]?" (range is 0-30 days). For participants reporting use of 0-1 substances of concern, days of abstinence is calculated as 30 minus \[number of days reported\].

Number of patient reported hospital admissionsMonth 12
Single-item general health question (HRQOL-1) scoreMonth 12

Questionnaire consist of one question 'Would you say that in general your health is' \[scaled response ranges from (5)Excellent, (4)Very good, (3)Good, (2)Fair or (1)Poor\]. The higher the score the better the patient's general health.

Percentage of participants with a negative suicidality screenMonth 12

Outcome measured by Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ). The ASQ consists of four yes/no questions. If patient answers "No" to all questions 1 through 4, they are considered negative for suicidality. If patient answers "Yes" to any of questions 1 through 4, or refuses to answer, they are considered a positive screen.

Total days of use of opioids, stimulants, and alcoholMonths 10-12

Days of opioid use are defined as days with any use of heroin or synthetic opioids, or nonmedical use of prescription opioids. Nonmedical use includes using prescription opioids more than prescribed (e.g., taking two tablets when the prescription indicates a dose of one tablet) or taking pharmaceutical opioids that were not prescribed to the individual taking them. Days of stimulant use are defined as days with any use of cocaine or methamphetamine. Days of alcohol heavy drinking are defined as days with 5+ drinks/day for men, 4+ drinks/day for women.

This outcome measure is collected using single item questions based on the Addiction Severity Index. Patient participants are asked to specify the number of days of use in the past 30 days (range is 0-30 days, value=0 for substances that were not used). The assessment is self-administered using a computerized form.

Number of episodes of a non-fatal overdoseMonth 12

Outcome measure is self reported on the Non-Fatal Overdose Questionnaire.

World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) scoreMonth 12

The WHOQOL-BREF is a 26-item instrument consisting of four domains: physical health (7 items), psychological health (6 items), social relationships (3 items), and environmental health (8 items); it also contains QOL and general health items. The mean score of items within each domain is used to calculate the domain score. After computed the scores, they transformed linearly to a 0-100-scale. Higher scores denote higher QOL.

Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) scoreMonth 12

The Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-8) consists of 8 items. The scores for each item are summed to produce a total score between 0 and 24 points. A total score of 0 to 4 represents no significant depressive symptoms. A total score of 5 to 9 represents mild depressive symptoms; 10 to 14, moderate; 15 to 19, moderately severe; and 20 to 24, severe.

Primary Care Post-Traumatic Disorder Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) scoreMonth 12

PC-PTSD-5 consists of 5-items. If a respondent denies exposure, the PC-PTSD-5 is complete with a score of 0 meaning no trauma exposure. If a respondent endorses a trauma exposure, they can score a 0-5 on the PC-PTSD-5, which is a count of "yes" responses to the 5 questions about how the trauma has affected them in the past month. Higher scores indicate the trauma exposure has often affected them over the past month.

Proportion of patients with a diagnosis of OUD receiving any medication for OUD treatmentMonth 12
Proportion of patients with a diagnosis of AUD receiving any medication for AUD treatmentMonth 12
OUD symptom score from the Modified World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) questionnaireMonth 6

The CIDI questionnaire measures severity of symptoms for three categories of substance use disorders (SUD); OUD, StUD, and AUD. The OUD category in the questionnaire is comprised of 15 yes/no items. The OUD symptom score is calculated by finding the sum of the items marked "Yes". OUD scores are interpreted as follows: 0-1 (subthreshold), 2-3 (mild use disorder), 4-5 (moderate use disorder), and 6+ (severe use disorder).

AUD symptom score from the Modified World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) questionnaireMonth 6

The CIDI questionnaire measures severity of symptoms for three categories of substance use disorders (SUD); OUD, StUD, and AUD. The AUD category in the questionnaire is comprised of 15 yes/no items. The AUD symptom score is calculated by finding the sum of the items marked "Yes". AUD scores are interpreted as follows: 0-1 (subthreshold), 2-3 (mild use disorder), 4-5 (moderate use disorder), and 6+ (severe use disorder).

Number of Patient Reported ED visitsMonth 12
PCPs Medical Condition Regard Scale (MCRS) scoreEnd of intervention period, up to 21 months

Medical Condition Regard Scale (MCRS) is a self-administered instrument examines the degree to which 12 medical conditions (including alcohol dependence and intravenous drug use) are enjoyable, treatable, and worthy of medical resources. Responses were measured on a six-point Likert scale: 1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = not sure but probably disagree, 4 = not sure but probably agree, 5 = agree, and 6 = strongly agree. A MCRS score of \>57 correlates with high probability of desire to care for patients with with drug and alcohol use.

PCPs Addictions Knowledge Questions scoreEnd of intervention period, up to 21 months

The Addictions Knowledge Questions is a 6-question measure that asks basic knowledge questions about DSM-criteria for SUD, and pharmacological treatments for OUD and AUD. Each item is answered by the PCP with a choice of "Correct" or "Incorrect". The score is calculated by the adding the number of items that are answered with "Correct". Total scores range from 0-6, a higher score indicating better knowledge.

PCPs REDUCE-HARM instrument scoreEnd of intervention period, up to 21 months

The REDUCE-HARM instrument is a 24-item scale to measure healthcare professional attitudes to work with people who inject drugs including self-reported skills in different aspects of substance use as well as attitudes towards individuals who use drugs. Each item is ranked from 1 = not at all important to 3 = very important. Higher scores indicate positive attitudes toward caring for patients with SUD.

Trial Locations

Locations (8)

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

🇺🇸

Torrance, California, United States

The Institute for Family Health

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

Winding Waters Medical Clinic

🇺🇸

Enterprise, Oregon, United States

Union Community Care

🇺🇸

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States

Harris Health

🇺🇸

Houston, Texas, United States

Sea Mar Community Health Centers

🇺🇸

Bellingham, Washington, United States

Wisconsin Research & Education Network

🇺🇸

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

NYU Langone Health

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

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