# Evaluation of Low Threshold Buprenorphine Treatment in the Context of COVID-19

> **NIH NIH P20** · RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL · 2021 · $27,133

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Buprenorphine is an evidence-based pharmacological approach to treating opioid use disorder
(OUD). Despite its efficacy, buprenorphine is significantly underutilized, in part, because of
historically rigid requirements for treatment entry and continuation. To address this concern,
there have been recent calls to establish “low threshold” care to remove barriers to treatment
and improve overall access. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented strain on
the U.S. population and healthcare system. Social distancing measures are now in place to
mitigate the risk of viral transmission. While these public health policies may protect against
contracting COVID-19, they also have the potential to disrupt treatment for substance use
disorders, particularly OUD, which relies heavily on face-to-face healthcare delivery. In
response to such concerns, new guidelines have been released to encourage greater flexibility
in the prescribing of buprenorphine. These changes have the potential to increase access to
and success with buprenorphine treatment for individuals with OUD, however, it remains
unknown how systematic changes related to COVID-19 may affect the practice of
buprenorphine prescribing, treatment utilization, or impact on patient outcomes. The objective of
the present study is to examine, through a mixed-method approach, the preliminary association
of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provision of buprenorphine treatment and patient-level
outcomes across three outpatient buprenorphine clinics affiliated with the largest hospital
system in the state of Rhode Island. Through this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI), the
proposed study will capture and characterize time-sensitive changes that are occurring to
buprenorphine treatment as a result of COVID-19. Information obtained through this study will
identify key factors that may influence implementation of a low threshold approach following the
COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this proposal seeks to empirically evaluate a) changes to
buprenorphine prescribing practices and treatment, and b) how changes to the delivery of care
impact patient-level outcomes. Results of this study may be leveraged to inform best-practice
guidelines for buprenorphine prescribing to ensure safety and efficacy of OUD treatment. The
aims outlined within this application align with the overall objectives of COBRE on Opioids and
Overdose to address the opioid crisis by mentoring junior investigators so that they may
transition into independent clinical researchers focused on the development and evaluation of
evidence-based treatment for OUD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10358229
- **Project number:** 3P20GM125507-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** JOSIAH D RICH
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $27,133
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10358229

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10358229, Evaluation of Low Threshold Buprenorphine Treatment in the Context of COVID-19 (3P20GM125507-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10358229. Licensed CC0.

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