Improving access to treatment for alcohol use disorders through telemedicine.
Official title: Addiction Telemedicine Consultation in Primary Care: Increasing Access to Pharmacotherapy and Specialty Treatment for Alcohol Problems
Funded at Kaiser Foundation Research Institute · NIH-10834075 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to improve how doctors help people with alcohol use problems by using a telemedicine service that connects them with addiction specialists, making it easier for patients to get the right medications they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kaiser Foundation Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oakland, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 10, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $658,729 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA028211-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10834075 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing issues related to alcohol use or have been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing alcohol use problems or who are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) by implementing a telemedicine consultation service within primary care settings. The Addiction Telemedicine Consultant (ATC) service allows primary care providers to connect with addiction specialists through video calls, phone calls, or emails, making it easier for them to prescribe effective medications for AUDs. By integrating this service into routine care, the study seeks to increase the use of evidence-based treatments like naltrexone and disulfiram, which are often underprescribed. The research will take place in diverse primary care clinics, ensuring a broad representation of patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to effective treatments for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that telemedicine can effectively improve access to specialty care, suggesting that this approach may also be beneficial for treating alcohol use disorders.
Where this research is happening
-
Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
Oakland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sterling, Stacy Ann — Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Sterling, Stacy Ann
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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.