Original research
by
Corace, Kim et al
Release Date
2021
Geography
Canada
Language of Resource
English
Full Text Available
No
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
No
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Objective
The Ontario COVID-19 OAT Treatment Guidance document was developed to facilitate access to OAT and continuity of care during the pandemic, while supporting physical distancing measures. In particular, the Guidance expanded access to unsupervised OAT dosing. It is important to evaluate the changes in unsupervised OAT dosing after the release of the Ontario COVID-19 OAT Guidance based on patients’ and prescribers’ reports.
Findings/Key points
Many patients (57%) reported receiving additional unsupervised OAT doses (i.e., take away doses). Patients who received additional unsupervised doses were not significantly more likely to report adverse health outcomes compared to patients who did not receive additional unsupervised doses. Patients with additional unsupervised doses and prescribers agreed that changes in OAT care were positive (e.g., reported an improved patient-prescriber relationship and more openness between patient and prescriber). Prescribers and some patients reported the need for continued flexibility in unsupervised doses after the pandemic restrictions lift.
Design/methods
Patients (N=402) and prescribers (N=100) reported their experiences with changes in unsupervised dosing during the first six months of the pandemic.
Keywords
Evidence base
Policy/Regulatory
Hesitancy of prescribers
Safer supply
Advocacy
About prescribers
About PWUD
Substitution/OAT
