Williams Publishes in JAMA Network Open on Patient Travel Experiences for Methadone Dosing Visits
Posted: 2026-10-14 14:11:38 (CSDE Research)
CSDE Affiliate Emily Williams (Health Services) and co-authors recently published a research article in JAMA Network Open titled, “Patient Travel Experiences for Methadone Dosing Visits.” Patients often face travel-related barriers to methadone dosing at opioid treatment programs (OTPs), but little is known about the nature of these experiences. Using an embedded mixed-methods design, the authors surveyed 98 patients and interviewed 16 of them at two OTP sites in Washington state, including mobile units, between November 2024 and February 2026. Patients spent a mean of 82.5 minutes round trip and $15.80 in travel-related costs for each dosing visit. Interviews revealed that distance was only part of the picture, as unpredictable wait times and conflicts with work, medical, or family obligations also mattered considerably. Participants shared that dosing visits limited their ability to work, while missing visits put them at risk of returning to opioid use and stalled progress toward treatment and life goals. The authors conclude that increasing the flexibility and accessibility of methadone treatment, through policies and care practices that reduce the burden of travel and destigmatize care, is essential to improving care quality and equity. The full article can be found here. Congratulations Dr. Williams!