Southern Humboldt Community Healthcare District (SoHum Health) has launched recruitment for a National Institutes of Health-funded clinical trial examining buprenorphine treatment approaches for opioid use disorder in rural communities. The study, supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, represents a significant effort to address treatment gaps in underserved rural areas.
Study Design and Objectives
The clinical trial will compare two distinct buprenorphine formulations over a 14-week treatment period. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either long-acting buprenorphine administered by injection or traditional buprenorphine tablets taken sublingually. The primary goal is to determine which formulation proves more effective in helping rural patients reduce their opioid use.
"We're trying to bring people back to their normal lives and help with the problems that opioids are causing," said staff physician Snehal Raisoni, highlighting the study's therapeutic objectives.
Rural Healthcare Focus
The trial specifically targets rural populations, addressing a critical gap in opioid use disorder research and treatment accessibility. Chief Quality and Compliance Officer Kristen Rees emphasized the broader implications of the work, stating, "We hope that we can increase the amount of rural research that's done in general, but specifically around opioid use disorder."
SoHum Health has collaborated with UCLA, which serves as the lead research team, for several years in preparation for this recruitment phase. The partnership reflects a coordinated effort to bring specialized research capabilities to rural healthcare settings.
Participant Recruitment and Eligibility
The study seeks participants who meet specific criteria: individuals must be 18 years or older, in good general health, have a diagnosis of opioid use disorder, and be willing to accept random assignment to one of the two treatment arms. The recruitment process began recently, though initial enrollment has been gradual.
Once eligibility is confirmed, participants receive comprehensive information about the study protocol, including visit schedules and treatment expectations. The 14-week active treatment period requires regular monitoring and follow-up appointments.
Clinical Trial Process
Rees outlined the participant experience: "Once eligibility is determined, if they are eligible, then we would explain the whole process, the types of visits, the number of visits, when they would come in, and kind of go through the schedule."
The study's design allows for direct comparison between the convenience and effectiveness of long-acting injectable buprenorphine versus the established sublingual formulation, potentially informing future treatment protocols for rural opioid use disorder programs.
Interested individuals can contact the study team at (707) 298-0304 or via email at ClinicalTrial@shchd.org for more information about participation requirements and the enrollment process.
