Gender differences in receipt of telehealth versus in person behavioral therapy, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and 90-day MOUD retention during the pandemic: A retrospective veteran cohort study.

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 significantly negatively impacted access to care among patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) enacted policies to expand telehealth and medication for OUD (MOUD) during the public health emergency, which offset risk of treatment disruption. In this study, we evaluated gender differences in utilization of behavioral therapy in person and via telehealth, MOUD utilization, and achieving 90-day MOUD retention pre-post pandemic onset, given known gender differences in treatment utilization between men and women. Secondarily, we examined MOUD receipt and retention as a function of in-person vs. telehealth behavioral therapy received over time.

METHODS

Using VHA's nationwide electronic health record data, we compared outcomes between men and women veterans, pre- to post-pandemic onset (January 2019-February 2020 vs. March 2020-April 2021). Primary outcomes included receipt of behavioral therapy (in person or telehealth), number of appointments attended, any MOUD, and whether patients achieved 90-day MOUD retention post-induction.

RESULTS

Veterans with OUD were less likely to receive behavioral therapy post-pandemic onset, which was driven by marked decreases in in-person care; these effects were strongest among women. The odds of receiving MOUD also decreased pre- to post-pandemic onset, particularly among men. Receipt of or achieving 90-day MOUD retention was differentially related to receipt of behavioral therapy via in person vs. telehealth; telehealth was more strongly associated with these utilization indicators post-pandemic onset-an effect that was more pronounced for men.

CONCLUSION

The likelihood of receiving behavioral therapy and MOUD were lower during COVID-19 and varied by gender, with men being less likely to receive MOUD over time and women being less likely to receive in-person behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy received via telehealth was generally associated with improved MOUD utilization compared to in-person behavioral therapy, but this was less true for women than for men regarding utilization of or achieving 90-day MOUD retention. In addition to the need for further telehealth expansion for veterans with OUD, more research should explore how to better engage men in MOUD treatment and improve adherence to MOUD among women engaged in behavioral therapy.