Decision aid to help emergency department patients choose whether to start buprenorphine

CTN-0156: Pilot Development and Evaluation of a Patient Decision Aid for Emergency Department Initiated Buprenorphine

Not applicable Interventional Medical University of South Carolina · NCT07278518

This project tests a short decision aid to help adults with moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder in the emergency department understand buprenorphine and decide whether to start it.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMedical University of South Carolina Academic / other
Locations1 site (Charleston, South Carolina)
Trial IDNCT07278518 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers will develop and pilot a patient decision aid (PtDA) designed for use when adults with moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder present to the emergency department and are candidates for buprenorphine. Participants will receive the PtDA or usual care and researchers will compare acceptability, patient knowledge, decisional conflict, and initiation of buprenorphine after discharge. Outcomes will be measured with patient surveys and clinical records of buprenorphine uptake and linkage to follow-up care. The project is conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina emergency department and focuses on patients who are English-speaking, not currently on medication for opioid use disorder, and able to receive follow-up by video or email.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) with moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder who are not currently prescribed medication for opioid use disorder, speak/read English, and can receive video or email after ED discharge are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People currently on medication for opioid use disorder, those who do not speak English, prisoners, or patients without access to video or email after discharge would not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the decision aid could increase patient knowledge, reduce uncertainty, and lead to more people starting buprenorphine and linking to follow-up care.

How similar studies have performed: Emergency-department initiation of buprenorphine has previously increased treatment engagement and decision aids improve knowledge in other settings, but a dedicated ED buprenorphine decision aid has had limited testing to date.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥18
* DSM-5 criteria for moderate-to-severe OUD
* Speaks and reads English
* Not currently prescribed MOUD
* Post-ED discharge patients with access to video/email

Exclusion Criteria:

\- Prisoners

Where this trial is running

Charleston, South Carolina

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Opioid Use Disorderbuprenorphinepatient decision aidemergency department
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.