No abstract

Background Medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder, such as buprenorphine, are effective and essential for addressing the opioid epidemic. However, high dropout rates from medication remain a challenge. Behavioral treatment with contingency management and cognitive behavioral counseling has shown promise for improving the outcomes of buprenorphine treatment but is complicated to deliver. The delivery of behavioral treatment through technology-based platforms has the potential to make it more feasible for widespread dissemination. Objective reSET-O is a prescription digital therapeutic and a commercial adaptation of the Therapeutic Education System, an internet-based program with a Community Reinforcement Approach to cognitive behavioral therapy. It delivers cognitive behavioral therapy modules and contingency management rewards upon completion of modules and negative urine drug screens. This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of reSET-O in a community-based opioid treatment program with a Hub and Spoke model of care as part of a larger strategy to maintain individuals in treatment. Objective and qualitative results, as well as acceptability and likeability of reSET-O, were obtained from 15 individuals. Methods English-speaking individuals aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of current opioid use disorder were recruited after being on buprenorphine for at least 1 week of treatment. Two 12-week prescriptions for reSET-O were written for the 24-week study. Patient reports of drug use and likeability scales of reSET-O were conducted at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 24 of the study. Qualitative interviews were also conducted. A total of 4 providers were recruited and provided feedback on the acceptability and feasibility of reSET-O. Results Of the 15 participants who participated in this pilot study, 7 (47%) completed 24 weeks, and 8 (53%) were unable to complete because of dropout after enrollment, attrition in treatment, or incarceration. An average of US $96 in contingency management rewards were earned by participants for the completion of modules for the duration of the pilot study. Participants’ subjective feedback revealed that reSET-O was easy to use, enjoyable, and helped provide a safe space to admit recurring substance use. Conclusions reSET-O was well accepted based on patient and provider feedback in this pilot study; however, adherence and retention in treatment remain areas for improvement. Randomized control trials are needed to assess whether retention of community-based buprenorphine treatment is enhanced through the use of technology-based behavioral interventions such as reSET-O.

Substance Use Disorders (SUD) are chronic health conditions with heritability characteristics, environmental influences, long-term management considerations and they cooccur. The US opioid epidemic is a crisis of both prescription and nonprescription opioid use. Clinicians now have access to evidence-based practices but the evolving trends require continuous attention including curriculum initiatives for dental schools. The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the content and educational strategies of current SUD curricula, beneficial educational products for a standardized curriculum and perceived barriers toward standardization. Invitations were sent to 64 US dental schools describing the purpose of this study and a link to complete the survey was provided.Fully completed responses were received from 32 (50.0%) of the schools. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. Most dental schools surveyed (81.3%) have a curriculum for SUD with classroom lectures being the most commonly used teaching method (96.2%), followed by online modules (42.3%). About 30% of the responding schools provided additional educational experiences. Instruction occurred mostly in second (73.1%) and third (77.0%) academic years. Opioids, alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana were the most frequently taught substance classes. Curriculum standardization with online modules (81.3%), case-based exercises (59.4%), and simulation with standardized patients (43.8%) was considered desirable to improve student competency in the management of patients with SUD. Lack of time (62.5%), space (56.3%), and faculty (50.0%) were cited as the most common barriers to curriculum initiatives. Experiential and achievable options for improving SUD curriculum were highlighted.

BACKGROUND Medications for treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), such as buprenorphine, are effective and essential for addressing the opioid epidemic. However, high dropout rates from medication remain a challenge. Behavioral treatment with contingency management plus cognitive behavioral counseling has shown promise for improving outcomes of buprenorphine treatment, but is complicated to deliver. Delivery of behavioral treatment through technology-based platforms has the potential to make it more feasible for widespread dissemination. OBJECTIVE reSET-O® is a Prescription Digital Therapeutic and a commercial adaptation of the Therapeutic Education System, an internet-based, interactive program with a Community Reinforcement Approach to cognitive behavioral therapy. It delivers cognitive behavioral therapy modules and contingency management rewards upon completion of modules and negative urine drug screens. A pilot study was performed to assess feasibility and acceptability of reSET-O® in a Hub and Spoke model of care as part of a larger strategy to maintain individuals in treatment. Objective and qualitative results, as well as acceptability and likeability of reSET-O®, were obtained from fifteen individuals. METHODS English-speaking individuals over the age of 18 with a diagnosis of current OUD were recruited after being on buprenorphine for at least one week of treatment. Two 12-week prescriptions for reSET-O® were written for a 24-week study. Patient report of drug use and likeability scales of reSET-O® were conducted at weeks 4,8, 12 and 24 of the study. Qualitative interviews were also conducted. Four providers were recruited and gave feedback on the acceptability and feasibility of reSET-O®. RESULTS Of 15 participants who entered this pilot study, 7 completed 24 weeks and 8 were unable to complete due to drop out after enrollment, attrition in treatment, or incarceration. An average of $96 in contingency management rewards were earned by the participants for completion of modules for the duration of the pilot study. Participants’ subjective feedback found that reSET-O® was easy to use, enjoyable, and helped provide a safe space to admit recurring substance use. CONCLUSIONS ReSET-O® was well accepted based on patient and provider feedback in this pilot study, but adherence and retention in treatment remain areas for improvement, as with traditional MOUD and CBT approaches. A randomized control trial in a Hub and Spoke model will be needed to assess if retention on buprenorphine treatment is enhanced through the use of technology based behavioral interventions such as reSET-O®. CLINICALTRIAL NCT03826966