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dc.contributor.authorCrowley, Des
dc.contributor.authorDelargy, Ide
dc.date.accessioned2020-09-24T10:00:27Z
dc.date.available2020-09-24T10:00:27Z
dc.date.issued2020-07-17
dc.identifier.pmid32680520
dc.identifier.doi10.1186/s12954-020-00394-z
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/628334
dc.descriptionBackground: Health services globally are struggling to manage the impact of COVID-19. The existing global disease burden related to opioid use is significant. Particularly challenging groups include older drug users who are more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. Increasing access to safe and effective opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and other harm reduction services during this pandemic is critical to reduce risk. In response to COVID-19, healthcare is increasingly being delivered by telephone and video consultation, and this report describes the development of a national model of remote care to eliminate waiting lists and increase access to OAT in Ireland. Purpose and findings: The purpose of this initiative is to provide easy access to OAT by developing a model of remote assessment and ongoing care and eliminate existing national waiting lists. The Irish College of General Practitioners in conjunction with the National Health Service Executive office for Social Inclusion agreed a set of protocols to enable a system of remote consultation but still delivering OAT locally to people who use drugs. This model was targeted at OAT services with existing waiting lists due to a shortage of specialist medical staff. The model involves an initial telephone assessment with COVID-risk triage, a single-patient visit to local services to provide a point of care drug screen and complete necessary documentation and remote video assessment and ongoing management by a GP addiction specialist. A secure national electronic health link system allows for the safe and timely delivery of scripts to a designated local community pharmacy. Conclusion: The development of a remote model of healthcare delivery allows for the reduction in transmission risks associated with COVID-19, increases access to OAT, reduces waiting times and minimises barriers to services. An evaluation of this model is ongoing and will be reported once completed. Fast adaptation of OAT delivery is critical to ensure access to and continuity of service delivery and minimise risk to our staff, patients and community. Innovative models of remote healthcare delivery adapted during the COVID-19 crisis may inform and have important benefits to our health system into the future.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherIrish College of General Practitioners (ICGP)en_US
dc.subjectGENERAL PRACTICEen_US
dc.subjectCOVID-19en_US
dc.subjectOATen_US
dc.subjectOpioid agonist therapyen_US
dc.subjectOpioid useren_US
dc.subjectRemote healthen_US
dc.subjectTELEMEDICINEen_US
dc.titleA national model of remote care for assessing and providing opioid agonist treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic: a report.en_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
dc.identifier.eissn1477-7517
dc.identifier.journalHarm reduction journalen_US
dc.source.journaltitleHarm reduction journal
dc.source.volume17
dc.source.issue1
dc.source.beginpage49
dc.source.endpage
refterms.dateFOA2020-09-24T10:00:28Z
dc.source.countryEngland


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