The OPTIMUS International Consensus Guidance outlines a user-centered framework for monitoring opioid maintenance treatment (OMT), with a pronounced emphasis on patient-reported outcomes across various domains, including treatment adherence, physical and mental health, social functioning, substance use, and overall quality of life. This guidance was established through a rigorous Delphi methodology involving a diverse cohort of professionals and patients from 32 nations, promoting the provision of accessible, respectful, and sustained opioid therapy. The principal tenets of this consensus include the assurance of uninterrupted medication supply, the abandonment of punitive approaches towards illicit drug use, the prioritization of patient-centered care, and the continual evaluation of the comprehensive quality-of-life metrics rather than a singular focus on the cessation of substance use. Ultimately, this consensus aspires to standardize practices on a global scale, bolster public health initiatives, and enhance survival rates, health outcomes, and patient satisfaction.

Key benefits emphasized:

• Reduction in opioid-related harm and mortality.
• Enhanced treatment retention and patient satisfaction.
• Improved patient-provider communication and quality of life.

Full Article here: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction