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Artificial Intelligence in Health ML approach for client and program effects in OUD retention

percentages of Black staff, can positively impact retention Ethics approval and consent to participate
rates among Black clients in opioid treatment programs
(OTPs). This underscores the importance of employing This study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional
advanced statistical methods to identify and quantify when Review Board of Texas A&M University (TAMU
and how diversity enhances treatment outcomes, especially IRB#2019-0268DCR).
for minority clients. By doing so, we can better address Consent for publication
the unique needs of these clients and optimize program
resources to serve minority communities effectively. Not applicable.
As federal and state authorities prepare to allocate Availability of data
substantial financial resources from various sources
– including pharmaceutical settlements and new tax Not applicable.
revenues – to improve access to opioid treatment, 33,34 it References
is imperative to understand how these investments can
best support OTPs in enhancing overall patient outcomes. 1. CDC/National Center for Health Statistics. U.S. Overdose
This is particularly vital for improving outcomes among Deaths Decrease in 2023, First Time Since 2018; 2024.
minority populations, who often face additional barriers Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/
to accessing quality care. A diverse workforce not only nchs_press_releases/2024/20240515.htm [Last accessed on
2024 May 24].
reflects the communities these programs serve but also
has the potential to foster a more inclusive and supportive 2. Bart G. Maintenance medication for opiate addiction: The
treatment environment that can significantly impact foundation of recovery. J Addict Dis. 2012;31(3):207-225.
retention and recovery. Therefore, fully leveraging the doi: 10.1080/10550887.2012.694598
benefits of workforce diversity will be crucial in shaping 3. Chan B, Gean E, Arkhipova-Jenkins I, et al. Retention
policies and interventions that maximize the effectiveness strategies for medications for opioid use disorder in adults.
of opioid treatment programs, especially in underserved J Addict Med. 2020;15(1):74-84.
and minority communities.
doi: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000739
Acknowledgments 4. Timko C, Schultz NR, Cucciare MA, Vittorio L, Garrison-
The authors would like to thank Joanna Mendoza, from Diehn C. Retention in medication-assisted treatment for
Texas A&M University, for editing and proofreading this opiate dependence: A systematic review. J Addict Dis.
2015;35(1):22-35.
manuscript.
doi: 10.1080/10550887.2016.1100960
Funding 5. Williams AR, Samples H, Crystal S, Olfson M. Acute
Support for this research and manuscript preparation care, prescription opioid use, and overdose following
was provided by a National Institute on Minority Health discontinuation of long-term buprenorphine treatment for
and Health Disparities research grant (R01MD014639, opioid use disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2020;177(2):117-124.
CoPIs: Daniel Howard and Erick Guerrero) and a National doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19060612
Institute on Drug Abuse research grant (DA048176, CoPIs: 6. Carroll KM, Weiss RD. The role of behavioral interventions
Jeanne Marsh and Erick Guerrero). in buprenorphine maintenance treatment: A review. Am J
Conflict of interest Psychiatry. 2017;174(8):738-747.
doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.16070792
The authors declare they have no competing interests.
7. Manhapra A, Petrakis I, Rosenheck R. Three-year retention
Author contributions in buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder
nationally in the Veterans health administration. Am J
Conceptualization: Yinfei Kong, Erick Guerrero Addict. 2017;26(6):572-580.
Formal analysis: Yinfei Kong, Erick Guerrero, Suojin Wang
Investigation: Yinfei Kong, Erick Guerrero, Suojin Wang doi: 10.1111/ajad.12553
Methodology: Yinfei Kong, Suojin Wang 8. Proctor SL, Copeland AL, Kopak AM, Hoffmann NG,
Writing – original draft: Yinfei Kong, Erick Guerrero Herschman PL, Polukhina N. Predictors of patient retention
Writing – review & editing: Jemima A. Frimpong, Tenie in methadone maintenance treatment. Psychol Addict Behav.
Khachikian, Suojin Wang, Thomas D’Aunno, Daniel 2015;29(4):906-917.
Howard doi: 10.1037/adb0000090

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 111 doi: 10.36922/aih.3750