Publications by authors named "Courtney DelaCuesta"

Background: Wounds are a significant source of morbidity among people who use substances (PWUS). This project sought to identify the incidence and severity of wounds among PWUS in the South Bronx, a region of New York City with one of the highest morbidities of substance use disorder.

Methods: This study recruited PWUS within the past 30 days.

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The future of telemedicine for substance use treatment hangs by a thread, as the United States awaits approval of proposed regulations and laws to increase care access in light of the 2022 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revisions allowing for audio-only care. Telemedicine improves patient care access and outcomes. Audio-only telemedicine can be an effective and viable modality for individuals without technology resources (devices, internet services, and literacy), those with reduced telehealth service utilization (Black individuals or those with unstable housing, who are older, with low income, or with low education), and those living in rural locations.

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Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the relaxation of regulations surrounding Medication for Opioid Use Disorders (MOUD) treatment, including a shift from in-person to telehealth counseling services adjunct to MOUD treatment. We examine how patient-level barriers impact their counseling experiences.

Methods: We examine data from n = 264 participants who completed a cross-sectional survey regarding their experiences with telephone counseling adjunct to MOUD between July to November 2020.

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Using quantitative and qualitative evidence, this study triangulates counselors' perspectives on the use of telemedicine in the context of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) treatment. A concurrent mixed-methods design examined counselors' experiences with telephone counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic. N = 42 counselors who provided OUD counseling services completed a close-ended, quantitative survey examining their experiences in addressing clients' anxiety, depression, anger, substance use, therapeutic relationship, and substance use recovery using telephone counseling.

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To identify and document the treatment experiences among patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in the context of the rapid move from in-person to telephone counseling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants ( = 237) completed a survey with open-ended questions that included the following domains: (1) satisfaction with telephone counseling, (2) perceived convenience, (3) changes to the therapeutic relationship, (4) perceived impact on substance use recovery, and (5) general feedback. Responses were coded using thematic analysis.

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