Implementing a patient navigation program for opioid use disorder treatment

Implementing a Patient Navigation Intervention Across a Health System to Address Treatment Entry Inequities

This study is trying out a new support program to help people with opioid use disorder get the treatment they need after leaving the hospital, especially focusing on helping those from racial minority groups.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 32 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Friends Research Institute, Inc. (other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06634277 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to implement the NavSTAR patient navigation intervention for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) following hospitalization. By engaging community, hospital, and patient partners, the study seeks to address barriers to accessing treatment, particularly for racial minority groups. The intervention will be piloted in a health system to assess its feasibility, reach, and sustainability, building on previous findings that demonstrated its effectiveness in increasing treatment entry and reducing hospital readmissions. The study employs a hybrid implementation-effectiveness design to bridge the gap between research and practice.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 or older who meet the DSM-5 criteria for moderate to severe opioid use disorder.

Not a fit: Patients who have been enrolled in opioid use disorder treatment within 30 days prior to hospitalization or those residing outside the City of Philadelphia may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve access to opioid use disorder treatment and reduce overdose rates among vulnerable populations.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with similar patient navigation interventions, indicating potential for effective implementation in real-world settings.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria:

1. age 18 or older;
2. current DSM-5 criteria for moderate to severe OUD;
3. willing and able to provide informed consent in English.

Exclusion criteria:

1. enrollment in OUD treatment 30-days prior to hospitalization;
2. residency outside the City of Philadelphia;
3. pregnancy;
4. planned discharge to a long-term inpatient care facility (e.g., hospice);
5. hospitalization for a suicide attempt.

Where this trial is running

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 1 other locations

• Jefferson Health — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (RECRUITING)
• Friends Research Institute — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Karen Alexander, PhD — Friends Research Institute, Inc.
• Study coordinator: Karen Alexander, PhD

Conditions: Opioid Use Disorder, patient navigation