Improving access to opioid treatment for patients after hospital discharge
Official title: Implementing a patient navigation intervention across a health system to address treatment entry inequities
Funded at Friends Research Institute, INC. · NIH-10812628 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how having a friendly guide, called a patient navigator, can help people with opioid use disorder get the treatment they need after leaving the hospital, especially in communities that might not have easy access to care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Friends Research Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $946,763 |
| NIH project number | 1R61DA059033-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10812628 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who have recently been hospitalized.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with opioid use disorder or those who do not require hospitalization may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing access to opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) by implementing a patient navigation intervention in hospitals. The approach involves using trained patient navigators to assist patients in navigating the healthcare system and accessing community-based treatment options after they leave the hospital. By addressing barriers to care and ensuring follow-up support, the study aims to improve treatment engagement and reduce health disparities among patients with OUD. The research will assess the effectiveness of these navigation services in diverse and resource-challenged communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the number of patients with opioid use disorder who receive timely and effective treatment after hospitalization.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that patient navigation interventions can effectively improve access to care for individuals with opioid use disorder, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Friends Research Institute, INC.
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alexander, Karen — Friends Research Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Alexander, Karen
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.