Impact of telehealth on buprenorphine treatment during COVID-19
Official title: COVID-19 Pandemic: Natural Experiment in Telehealth on Buprenorphine Treatment in a Large Integrated Healthcare System
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-10590255 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people get treatment for opioid addiction with buprenorphine, especially for veterans, to see if it has made it easier for new and existing patients to start and continue their care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $174,257 |
| NIH project number | 1K99DA055724-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10590255 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with opioid use disorder, particularly those who may benefit from telehealth services for buprenorphine treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not struggling with opioid use disorder or those who do not have access to telehealth services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the expansion of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the treatment of opioid use disorder with buprenorphine. By analyzing data from the Veterans Administration, the study aims to understand the impact of relaxed federal regulations on the initiation and maintenance of buprenorphine treatment. It focuses on treatment rates and outcomes for both new and existing patients, providing insights into how telehealth can improve access to care for those struggling with opioid addiction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance access to buprenorphine treatment for patients with opioid use disorder, potentially improving their recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in using telehealth for substance use treatment, indicating that this approach could be effective in improving patient outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fink, David Stanley — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Fink, David Stanley
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.