Enduring lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic: Advancing virtual care for substance use disorders in rural America

Purpose

This study explores how rural substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers in New York State adapted to pandemic-era policy changes by rapidly adopting virtual care, identifying both challenges and opportunities to inform future practice.

Methods

Thematic analysis of qualitative data from individual interviews with 12 SUD treatment providers and a focus group with an additional 6 providers in rural New York State was conducted between February and May 2021, capturing experiences with virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

The pandemic drove swift virtual care adoption, overcoming some rural barriers to SUD treatment access, like limited transportation and provider shortages. Providers noted enhanced flexibility, allowing more person-centered care adapting to clients’ logistical challenges. However, limitations emerged, including digital access disparities, reduced client accountability, and challenges establishing therapeutic relationships—especially for new clients or group sessions. Virtual care effectiveness varied by treatment stage, client demographics, and access to reliable technology.

Conclusions

Although virtual care presents opportunities to expand rural SUD treatment access, a hybrid model combining in-person and virtual care may better meet diverse client needs. Addressing technological inequities and tailoring approaches to individual circumstances are essential for future interventions.