TITLE:
Telehealth for Substance Use Disorders Treatment in Nigeria: Implementation Strategies Post-COVID-19
AUTHORS:
Bawo Onesirosan James, Kingsley Mayowa Okonoda, Nkereuwem William Ebiti, Albert Arias, John Randy Koch
KEYWORDS:
Telehealth, Substance Use Disorders, Treatment, Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.12 No.4,
October
17,
2022
ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way healthcare
services are delivered. These changes will likely persist as countries
recover from the economic crises following lockdowns. In developing countries,
services for substance use disorders (SUDs) are inadequate and as countries
prioritize infectious diseases, individuals with SUDs may suffer further
neglect. This paper is a narrative review of peer-reviewed and grey literature
on the current challenges with SUD treatment in Nigeria assesses how telehealth
may positively affect access to evidence-based treatments and suggests
strategies for implementation considering the unique challenges and
opportunities in the country. If prioritized in her policy, telehealth has the
potential to improve treatment outcomes for SUDs in Nigeria.