NAM Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic Telehealth and Virtual Care Meeting Series: Improving Care Delivery and Innovation

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) convened the third meeting in its series, “Improving Telehealth and Virtual Care for Pain Management and Substance Use Disorders,” on April 25, 2022. This virtual gathering brought together over 50 participants, including health professionals, industry leaders, federal agencies, advocacy groups, health plan providers, and health systems.

The meeting focused on enhancing care delivery and fostering innovation within hybrid care models that integrate both in-person and virtual modalities. Key objectives included reimagining pain management and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in a hybrid environment, examining various virtual modalities’ applications and limitations, and exploring opportunities for telehealth to facilitate comprehensive, multidisciplinary, team-based care.

Discussions highlighted the potential of virtual modalities to support integrated care models, the importance of tailoring telehealth applications to specific care settings, and the need for collaboration among payers, providers, and patients to redesign care delivery systems effectively. Participants also addressed challenges such as regulatory barriers, technology integration, and ensuring equitable access to telehealth services.

The proceedings from this meeting offer valuable insights and recommendations for stakeholders aiming to advance hybrid care models that combine the strengths of telehealth and traditional in-person care. By leveraging innovative solutions, the initiative seeks to improve patient outcomes and promote health equity in pain management and SUD treatment.