Treatment satisfaction among patients in opioid agonist treatment in Norway: A multicenter cohort study

Background: Treatment satisfaction is an important indicator of patients' perceptions of opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for opioid dependence. In addition, treatment satisfaction may have implications for treatment outcomes. The present study aimed to explore treatment satisfaction among OAT patients one year after enrollment, as well as the role of different psychosocial and treatment characteristics in treatment satisfaction. Methods: The study was based on data from the NorComt project (2012-2016), which used a multicenter cohort design with structured questionnaire-based interviews. The sample consisted of 175 OAT patients in Norway who rated their treatment satisfaction (high, mixed, low) one year after enrollment in a new treatment episode in OAT. Treatment satisfaction (high versus mixed or low) was used as a dependent variable in logistic regression models, with demographic characteristics, well-being, substance use, and treatment characteristics as independent variables. Results: Overall, 54.9% of the participants reported high satisfaction with OAT one year after enrollment, while 25.7% reported mixed satisfaction and 19.4% low satisfaction. Of the 175 participants who reported on treatment satisfaction, 161 remained in treatment at follow-up. Reporting an active occupational status and an individual treatment plan in OAT was associated with increased odds for reporting treatment satisfaction, while reporting ongoing substance use was associated with decreased odds for reporting treatment satisfaction. Conclusions: Psychosocial, situational factors, as well as coordinated, integrated support, may play a role in OAT patients' treatment satisfaction. To identify facilitators and barriers in OAT, it is vital to address relevant needs and goals for treatment from the perspectives of patients.