Access to MAT: Participants’ Experiences With Transportation, Non-Emergency Transportation, and Telehealth
WVACHS publication on access to Medication Assisted Treatment:
On behalf of the West Virginia Alliance for Creative Health Solutions, Inc. (WVACHS), I am pleased to share “Access to MAT: Participants’ Experiences With Transportation, Non-Emergency Transportation, and Telehealth,” which was recently published in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health.
This article reports results from our survey, which was designed with assistance from individuals in recovery then distributed to participants of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs, to learn about how transportation has affected their ability to enter and remain and treatment, as well as their experiences with Medicaid funded non-emergency transportation services and telehealth.
The study findings reflect the significant role that transportation plays for individuals in recovery seeking care. The findings also highlight the challenges and limitations of the current non-emergency transportation services.
Finally, the results indicate that telehealth is an important option for helping with access to care for opioid use disorder.
You may access the full text article for free online at: https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319241233198
This is the third in a series of three studies on medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD), conducted in West Virginia.
The studies reveal critical insights into the barriers individuals face in entering and remaining in treatment, including community bias, affordability, and transportation issues.
Findings emphasize the importance of tailored, accessible programs, reduced stigma, and flexible treatment modalities such as telehealth to enhance MAT access and retention, ultimately advocating for comprehensive approaches to support recovery and improve outcomes.
The two additional articles are available below:
• A Better Life: Factors that Help and Hinder Entry and Retention in MAT from the Perspective of People in Recovery https://uknowledge.uky.edu/jah/vol5/iss1/6/
• Medication Assisted Treatment Program Policies: Opinions of People in Treatment https://journals.sagepub.com/…/10.1177/21501319231195606
Boyd J, Carter M, Baus A. Access to MAT: Participants’ Experiences With Transportation, Non-Emergency Transportation, and Telehealth. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health. 2024;15. doi:10.1177/21501319241233198
