Effect of a Peer-Led Behavioral Intervention for Emergency Department Patients at High Risk of Fatal Opioid Overdose A Randomized Clinical Trial

Source:

Beaudoin FL, Jacka BP, Li Y, et al. Effect of a Peer-Led Behavioral Intervention for Emergency Department Patients at High Risk of Fatal Opioid Overdose: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(8):e2225582. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.25582

Key Points

Question  Can peer-led behavioral interventions in the emergency department for patients who have had a recent opioid overdose increase short-term treatment engagement after the emergency department visit?

Findings  In this randomized clinical trial of 648 emergency department patients at high risk of opioid overdose, there was no difference in treatment engagement within 30 days of the visit for participants who received a peer-led intervention vs those who received a standard behavioral intervention by a clinical social worker (32% vs 30%).

Meaning  An emergency department–based behavioral intervention is likely effective in promoting treatment engagement, but who delivers the intervention may be less influential on short-term outcomes.