Factors Associated With Telehealth Buprenorphine Initiation

This study investigates the factors associated with telehealth versus in-person initiation of buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) among adults following the expansion of telehealth access due to COVID-19. The authors found that younger age, prior telehealth use, and certain substance use disorders were positively associated with telehealth initiation, while urban and suburban patients were less likely to initiate treatment via telehealth compared to rural patients. The results highlight the importance of maintaining telehealth options alongside in-person treatment to meet the diverse needs of patients post-pandemic.