Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)

School

Health Services

Advisor

Donna L. Clews

Abstract

AbstractSubstance use disorders (SUDs) and fatal overdoses are a significant problem in the United States. A viable and effective method for treating SUDs is through telemedicine (tele-SUD) visits. Tele-SUD visits are an effective means of meeting with patients virtually, especially in the post-COVID-19 environment; however, a problem in health care exists concerning the availability of tele-SUD services in middle America. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of tele-SUD availability on rates of opioid overdose deaths in the state of Texas. Donabedian’s model of health care quality evaluation was used as the theoretical framework. A quantitative, independent samples, t-test analysis was used to investigate the relationship between telemedicine services and opioid overdose deaths in 254 counties in Texas in 2020. A regression analysis was conducted to determine if the amount of telemedicine availability per capita made a difference in fatal overdoses in each county of Texas. Data were collected from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the University of Wisconsin’s County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. The independent variable was availability of tele-SUD, and the dependent variable was rates of countywide opioid overdose deaths in 2020. The results of the analysis revealed no statistically significant connection between the presence of telemedicine in a given county and its opioid overdose death rate. Findings from this study may be used for positive social change by tele-SUD administrators in designing their programs.

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