In Case You Haven't Heard…

Abstract

Directly observed therapy for medication adherence. Some people think this is a euphemism for “we don't trust you to take your medicine.” This lack of trust is why many methadone patients have to report to the clinic almost every day. But if implemented, it can be freeing for patients, regardless of the reason. And doing it compassionately, with a combination of a good clinical opioid treatment program and a clinically sophisticated platform, may be the wave of the future. Ushered in by the pandemic, in which public health authorities want people to stay at home and limit public contact, directly observed methadone therapy is now under way at Seattle‐based Evergreen Treatment Services (ETS). Baltimore‐based emocha is the platform. Using the video directly observed therapy, patients can stay in treatment and on medication without going to the clinic. “Innovative services like video Directly Observed Therapy are exceptionally important in this time of crisis, to protect patients and clinical workers while still ensuring high rates of adherence,” said emocha CEO Sebastian Seiguer. “Our goal is to protect our patients' safety while continuing to provide high‐quality care, and emocha's platform will enable us to do just that,” says ETS Director of Clinical Services Sean Soth. Bringing telemedicine to a new frontier, ETS has for years been ahead of the field, with a harm‐reduction ethos and high recovery rates at the same time.