Development and Evaluation of Video-Based Directly Observed Therapy for Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Use Disorders With Buprenorphine

The objective of this study is to compare an innovative mobile health (mHealth) platform to support participants being treated for opioid use disorder (OUD) with buprenorphine to treatment-as-usual (TAU). The application will provide video-based directly observed therapy (VDOT) which may result in better health outcomes for participants and less public health risk for diversion. This study is a randomized controlled trial with two arms: TAU and mHealth intervention. Randomization to the two study arms will be completed using computer randomization procedures. Participants in the intervention group will learn how to use the mHealth application on their personal smartphones or tablets. If a participant does not have access to a personal device or prefers to not use a personal device then a study-provided smartphone will be offered for the duration of the study. Intervention participants are asked to record one daily video of themselves taking buprenorphine. Buprenorphine clinical staff (i.e., physicians, nurses and medical assistants) of patients enrolled in the intervention group will be trained and have the opportunity to review the videos. Adherence for the intervention group will be measured through participation in VDOT, namely the percentage of daily medication doses that are observed through submitted videos. The TAU group will not be given access to the intervention and therefore will not have the opportunity to be exposed to the intervention.

All participants will follow the same visit schedule. Interviews will occur at baseline (Week 0) and the final visit (Week 12) to assess current and prior substance use, treatment history, medication adherence, drug diversion, general physical and mental health and treatment satisfaction. A point of care urine drug test will also be administered which will assess for opiates and other substances. In between the baseline and final visits, participants will meet with research staff weekly to conduct a urine drug test and assess self-reported adherence to buprenorphine. Research staff will review the electronic medical record at baseline and week 12 to assess engagement in treatment. Additionally, at 24 weeks post-enrollment the research staff will complete a review of the electronic medical record and record engagement in clinic treatment, changes in buprenorphine treatment during the study period and the results of any clinical urine drug testing.