About OMT
Opioid maintenance treatment was introduced at the national level after a lengthy evaluation and political discussion. It represented a new approach to opioid dependence at the time of its inception and faced considered resistance.
In addition to long-acting opioids (such as methadone, buprenorphine, and 24-hour morphine), the treatment also includes psychosocial interventions.
About the project
From its inception, the provision of OMT has been evaluated through an annual review of the patient population and a description of treatment results. In the first few years, this was done through reports submitted to the Directorate of Health. In the following years, the reports were included in the publications of the Section for Clinical Substance Abuse Issues (SKR) in Norwegian. Since 2006, SERAF has published an Annual OMT Status Report. (A complete archive of every report is available in Norwegian).
The status reports contain information about each patient who has been in OMT during the reporting year, categorized by their: 1) current treatment situation; 2) functioning and treatment in the past four weeks; and 3) situation in the past year.
The form is filled out by the patient's nearest healthcare provider, preferably in collaboration with the patient, at the end of each calendar year. Data is reported in aggregated and anonymized form from each healthcare region to SERAF, which produces the Annual Status Report for OMT.
Few other treatments provided to such a significant group of patients have been documented and described as well as OMT in Norway. The status reports are a useful tool for everyone working in the opioid treatment field. In the reports, one can find regional variations in clinical practice and treatment outcomes, as well as assessments of evidence-based and appropriate adjustments to treatment.
Financing
Tools
Annual reporting of patient flow and patients in treatment is recorded through an online form.