Emerging research from Workit Labs
Workit Labs is a team of experts committed to advancing the understanding of substance use disorder treatment through scientific research and analysis. The Workit Labs team generates insights that inform our innovative strategies, and share our discoveries with the wider healthcare community.
Supportive perinatal care
Excellent maternal SUD outcomes
Received continuous OUD care
Of these, 8.0% transferred care to prenatal clinicians and 71.8% continued to receive telemedicine OUD care from Workit Health.
Retention throughout pregnancy
Of those who remained with Workit Health instead of transferring care to a prenatal clinic, 94.2% continued care through 6-weeks post-pregnancy.
Adherence
100% of participants tested positive for buprenorphine in post-pregnancy urine drug screens, demonstrating excellent adherence to the treatment program.
Reaching rural areas
Metrics that matter
3-month retention
Compare this to 50% 3-month retention rates reported in extant studies on telemedicine-delivered OUD treatment among patients living in both rural and rural/non-rural areas.
Adherence
Urinary drug screens showed 99% of participants tested positive for buprenorphine at all time points, demonstrating strong adherence to the treatment program and very little diversion.
Tested negative for other substances
Workit Health's focus on harm reduction encouraged participation and allowed participants to remain active and engaged without fear of dismissal, despite ~20% of participants testing positive for unexpected substances in their urinary drug screens.
Areas of research focus
Our current areas of study include:
- Updating and optimizing alcohol use disorder treatment for the digital age.
- Advancing whole-person care through telehealth, including co-occurring disorders that are often comorbid with substance use disorder. Including perinatal care, hepatitis C, HIV prevention, mental health, and chronic pain.
- Expanding access to care and improving retention rates among pregnant people receiving treatment for OUD through telehealth.
- Innovating technological and digital supports to enhance treatment—including gamification and automation—without sacrificing personal connection.
Our publications and presentations
Pharmacy Barriers to Receiving Buprenorphine Among Patients Undergoing Telemedicine Addiction Treatment
August 18, 2025
by Lauren E. Hendy, PhD; Lucas G. Hill, PharmD; Amanda Olguin, MS; Eileen Barrett, MD, MPH; Cynthia Jimes, PhD; M. Justin Coffey, MD; Marlene C. Lira, MPH. Published in JAMA Network Open
Virtual Backgrounds, Clinician Attire, and Patient Experience Preferences Among Individuals Receiving Telemedicine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
July 23, 2025
by Marlene C. Lira, MPH; Lauren E. Hendy, PhD; Amanda Olguin, MSW; Cynthia Jimes, PhD, Clare Mulford, MA, LMFT; Karisa Davis, BS, NAADAC; Daniel Banks, MSW; & M. Justin Coffey, MD. Published in Journal of Patient Experience
Treating Hepatitis C Within Real-world Telemedicine Addiction Care
May 7, 2025
by Marlene C. Lira, MPH; Lauren E. Hendy, PhD; Judith I. Tsui, MD, MPH; Kimberly Page, PhD, MPH, MS; Cynthia Jimes, PhD; Eileen Barrett, MD, MPH; Shannon Brigham, PA-C; Michael Justin Coffey, MD. Published in Journal of Addiction Medicine
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Encouraging Signals for TreatingAlcohol Use Disorder
April 24, 2025
by Marlene C. Lira, MPH; Eileen Barret, MD, MPH; & M. Justin Coffey, MD. Published in Journal of General Internal Medicine
Satisfaction with Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Among Individuals Living in Rural and Nonrural Areas
March 27, 2025
by Lauren E. Hendy, PhD; Amanda Olguin, MS; Cynthia Jimes, PhD; Eileen Barrett, MD, MPH; M. Justin Coffey, MD; & Marlene C. Lira, MPH. Published in Telemedicine and e-Health
Early findings on home delivery of buprenorphine and retention in treatment for opioid use disorder
February 12, 2025
Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy
March 14, 2024
by M. Justin Coffey, MD; Maxwell Weng, BSE; Cynthia Jimes, PhD; Shannon Brigham, PA-C; Marlene C. Lira, MPH. Published in JAMA Network Open
Rising Patient Volume and Acuity Challenge Mental and Behavioral Health Care Access
December 20, 2023
by M. Justin Coffey, M.D. Published in NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery
Retention in Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder among Pregnant People
June 20, 2023
Presented at the 2023 College on Problems of Drug Dependence Meeting
Innovations in Small Business Telehealth Technologies for Substance Use Disorders: Automated Assessments, Electronic Health Record Integrations, and Medication Shipping
June 19, 2023
Poster presented at the 2023 College on Problems of Drug Dependence Meeting.
Chatbots: Increasing Patient and Provider Engagement in Substance Use Disorder Care
May 21, 2023
Presented at the 2023 American Psychiatric Association Meeting
Retention in Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Among Rural Populations: A Retrospective Cohort Study
May 15, 2023
Published in Telemedicine and e-Health
Retention in Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Among Rural Populations
April 14, 2023
Poster presented at the American Society of Addiction Medicine 54th Annual Conference