Measurement Based Care in Opioid Treatment Programs

Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a critical public health crisis in Pennsylvania. Measurement-based care (MBC) is the systematic use of client self-report data to inform treatment and is an evidence-based intervention that is uniquely well suited to complement opioid use disorder (OUD) pharmacotherapy that occurs within opioid treatment programs (OTPs). The study aims to enhance the measurement, quality, and equity of care delivered in 20 community OTPs by co-designing and implementing MBC tools and systems. Using a Hybrid Implementation Effectiveness Type II trial with a stepped-wedge design, MBC implementation (e.g., fidelity) and clinical (e.g., patient retention, improved quality of life) effectiveness will be evaluated simultaneously with quantitative and qualitative data. This study aims to provide: (1) preliminary evidence regarding the role and significance of capitalizing on MBC in opioid use disorder (OUD) treatments (including evidence on potential mechanisms underlying MBC's effects); (2) enhanced adoption of MBC via implementation strategies that are co-designed with stakeholders (policymaker, payer, and OTP); and (3) alternative avenues to potentially enhance symptom-related outcomes and treatment retention of OUD interventions with downstream societal, psychological, and public health benefits.