Evaluating the Efficacy of a Digital Platform to Deliver Comprehensive Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Evaluating the Usability, Efficacy and Commercial Utility of a Digital Platform to Deliver Comprehensive Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Phase I, Aim I: Completed (R44 DA050354). Advance Boulder Care's mobile platform development and obtain usability feedback from individuals with prior OUD treatment. Aim 1 was successfully completed during Phase I, meeting milestones for improving product usability and satisfaction while reducing treatment barriers. Phase II, Aim 2: Compare study participants who enroll in Boulder Care (n = 100) to participants who enroll in treatment as usual (i.e., office-based buprenorphine) (n = 100) and assess buprenorphine retention at 48 weeks (primary outcome) and monitor a) transition from referral to treatment, b) care continuity, c) engagement in care, and d) satisfaction with care (secondary outcomes). Phase II, Aim 3: Compare study participants who enroll in Boulder Care (n = 100) to participants who enroll in treatment as usual (i.e., office-based buprenorphine) (n = 100) and assess at baseline, 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks post treatment initiation opioid use (primary outcome) and monitor employment, housing stability, and criminal justice involvement (secondary outcomes). Phase II Approach. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered treatment and research for OUD. Phase II of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award "Evaluating the usability, feasibility and commercial utility of a digital platform to deliver comprehensive treatment for opioid use disorder" (R44 DA050354) takes advantage of further development of the Boulder Care platform and expands the testing of our digitally-delivered treatment. To assure the quality and success of the Phase II award, a partnership with experienced National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) investigators under the leadership of Todd Korthuis, MD, MPH, strengthens the application. The application is modified to take advantage of Dr. Korthuis' and his team's experience and access to the Oregon Health \& Science University (OHSU) Harm Reduction and Bridges to Recovery clinic (HRBR - pronounced "harbor") and buprenorphine prescribing at OHSU primary care clinics. The HRBR clinic offers low-barrier buprenorphine initiation and stabilization, linking patients to community providers for ongoing care. The clinic can provide referrals to facilitate recruitment to Boulder Care services and participation in the Phase II study.