Technology-Assisted Addiction Treatment for Key Populations

Innovations in health information technology have resulted in patient-centered and provider-centered applications that can enhance access to care and treatment and retention in care. Provider-based applications in addiction treatment include the use of electronic medical records, electronic computer-based medication dispensing, and state prescription monitoring plans as well as new drug formulations and novel drug therapies in development. Patient-based applications include technology-based delivery of psychosocial interventions, as well as, cellphone-based messaging and applications. For key populations, men who have sex with men, sex workers, injection drug users and transgendered individuals, application of these technological innovations could enhance treatment outcomes for substance use disorders. Thus, as these technology innovations advance attention to their development for key populations would assist the global efforts to enhance addiction treatment.