Provision of a remote telehealth opioid substitution therapy clinic in a regional Victorian community.

Abstract

Background: Patient demand for alcohol and other drug services currently far outstrips the capacity of the sector, a challenge that becomes more pronounced in regional and rural areas where specialist services are minimal.

Objective: This paper describes a model of a telehealth-based opioid substitution therapy (OST) clinic, established in partnership between three Victorian health services. A retrospective file audit was conducted of the electronic medical records of patients enrolled through the clinic.

Discussion: With local coordination, the clinic has reviewed and commenced 23 patients on OST, all via telehealth consultations with addiction medicine specialists based remotely. The clinic's preliminary successes supporting patients on OST locally demonstrates an innovative solution to a longstanding problem. The small sample size requires that further study is necessary; however, the feasibility of this model shows how patients in regional and rural areas can have similar access to OST as their metropolitan counterparts.