A pilot study comparing in-person and remote outpatient substance use treatment services on quality-of-life outcomes

Abstract

BackgroundThe widespread shift from in-person to Telehealth services during the Covid-19 pandemic irreversibly shifted the landscape of outpatient substance use treatment. This shift was necessitated by health, rather than data-driven, reasons. As we reflect on whether to continue providing Telehealth services moving forward, we require empirical support on the effectiveness of Telehealth services (compared to in-person services) in terms of patient outcomes, such as Quality of Life (QOL), to support this decision. ObjectiveTo present data from a pilot project comparing changes in QOL across patients receiving outpatient in-person versus Telehealth substance use treatment in five clinics across New York State. MethodTo retrospectively compare total self-reported QOL scores from admission to 3-months later utilizing the Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction scale during in-person (pre-pandemic, n = 298) and Telehealth (pandemic, n = 316) services with a mixed repeated measures ANOVA. ResultsSelf-reported QOL scores significantly improved across the first three months, regardless of treatment modality ConclusionTelehealth and in-person treatment appear comparable on QOL outcomes over the first 3 months of outpatient treatment. Both modalities are associated with improved QOL scores. Scientific significanceThese preliminary findings provide evidence that Telehealth services are associated with positive patient outcomes and appear comparable to QOL outcomes among patients receiving in-person services. Future directions include further assessment of additional clinical outcomes and investigation into causal mechanisms.