Physician Clinical Support System for Methadone: Preliminary quantitative evaluation results

The Physician Clinical Support System for Methadone (PCSS-M) is a free, nationwide SAMHSA/CSAT-funded program through which health care providers seeking information and mentoring on the use of methadone for the treatment f opioid addiction and/or pain can be connected to experts in the field. PCSS-M provides access to a network of physician mentors with expertise in the use of methadone in an effort to increase the appropriate use and safety of this efficacious but clinically challenging medication. The mean age of mentors is 50 (range 39-65); 31% are female; 100% identify as white. Mentors reported an average of 14 years experience treating either chronic pain or opioid dependence with methadone. Between September 2009 and February 2011, a total of 392 individuals have registered into the PCSS-M from 35 states and Canada. Those registered identified their specialty as General Internal Medicine (52%), Psychiatry (19%), Addiction Medicine (14%), Pain Management (4%), among others. A total of 75 contacts with 53 participants have been logged into the web-based system for tracking mentoring services. Seventy-two percent of all contacts were related to opioid dependence treatment with methadone and predominantly concerned patient assessment, medication management, and urine toxicology mentoring. Of all contacts related to pain treatment with methadone, 34% concerned patient assessment, 22% concerned pain, 29% concerned medication management, and 15% concerned urine toxicology. The majority (89%) of contacts were routine/non-urgent communication. Qualitative data show that the PCSS-M is a valued training tool for health professionals. Efforts to expand the use of PCSS-M are warranted.