This study will help to inform best practices for providing psychosocial treatment within the context of office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) with buprenorphine. We will use a staged approach to develop and evaluate an adaptive approach to the provision of adjunctive psychosocial treatment that includes medication management by a buprenorphine provider and linkage to CRSs and CBT depending on the needs of the patient. The specific aims of the proposal are listed below.
Aim 1: Work collaboratively with our multidisciplinary team to develop specific protocols for the CRS and CBT interventions and establish algorithms based on behavioral criteria to determine when each intervention should be implemented. As a part of this aim, we will also develop standard procedures for delivering each intervention and train interventionists [i.e., CRSs and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)] to deliver them with fidelity.
Aim 2: Conduct a two-group randomized study to evaluate the efficacy of the adaptive intervention relative to TAU. Outcomes to be examined will include urinalysis-confirmed opioid use, retention in buprenorphine- based OBOT, quality of life, and psychosocial functioning through one year post-study entry.
Aim 3: Conduct a qualitative evaluation of the intervention and develop a strategic plan for its dissemination. We will conduct focus groups with clinic staff and relevant stakeholders to determine the utility and acceptability of the adaptive intervention. In addition, we will hold an expert roundtable to identify mechanisms for increasing sustainability and enhancing adoption by other office-based buprenorphine programs to inform the development of the strategic plan.
Aim 4: Establish a training program in clinical research for minority students. Eight undergraduate students from a historically minority higher education institution will be selected to participate in 9-month internships during which they will receive comprehensive and pragmatic training in the full range of clinical research from study design to dissemination.