Association Between Clinician-Level Factors and Patient Outcomes in Virtual and In-Person Outpatient Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: Multilevel Analysis.

Abstract

The use of virtual treatment services increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, large-scale research on virtual treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), including factors that may influence outcomes, has not advanced with the rapidly changing landscape. This study aims to evaluate the link between clinician-level factors and patient outcomes in populations receiving virtual and in-person intensive outpatient services. Data came from patients (n=1410) treated in a virtual intensive outpatient program (VIOP) and an in-person intensive outpatient program (IOP), who were discharged between January 2020 and March 2021 from a national treatment organization. Patient data were nested by treatment providers (n=58) examining associations with no-shows and discharge with staff approval. Empathy, comfort with technology, perceived stress, resistance to change, and demographic covariates were examined at the clinician level. The VIOP (β=-5.71; P=.03) and the personal distress subscale measure (β=-6.31; P=.003) were negatively associated with the percentage of no-shows. The VIOP was positively associated with discharges with staff approval (odds ratio [OR] 2.38, 95% CI 1.50-3.76). Clinician scores on perspective taking (β=-9.22; P=.02), personal distress (β=-9.44; P=.02), and male clinician gender (β=-6.43; P=.04) were negatively associated with in-person no-shows. Patient load was positively associated with discharge with staff approval (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06). Overall, patients in the VIOP had fewer no-shows and a higher rate of successful discharge. Few clinician-level characteristics were significantly associated with patient outcomes. Further research is necessary to understand the relationships among factors such as clinician gender, patient load, personal distress, and patient retention.