The value of clinical case management in a methadone maintenance treatment program.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to determine whether case management was positively associated with improved outcomes and treatment compliance in those enrolled in a methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program.

METHODS

An intervention group (n = 396) received case management while the other group (n = 1308) did not. Total N = 1704.

RESULTS

Statistically significant reductions were seen in the intervention group, in the proportion of urine samples positive for drugs of abuse (relative risk reduction = -15.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): -17.7, -13.1)), missed daily methadone doses (-1.9% (95% CI: -2.4, -1.4)), and missed physician appointments (-40.1% (95% CI: -43.7, -36.3)). CONCLUSIONS/SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Case management appears to be a very valuable tool in MMT programs.