Clinical Research Directory

The RMC model was designed to improve treatment linkage, engagement, and long-term treatment retention. The conceptual framework was based on the public health theory of chronic disease management, which utilizes ongoing assessment and monitoring through regular face-to-face checkups and early (re)intervention to facilitate detection of relapse, reduce the time to treatment re-entry, and consequently, improve long-term outcomes. The original RMC model includes: 1) a fixed schedule of face-to-face quarterly checkups to assess need for SUD treatment, 2) personalized feedback based on an assessment and motivational interviewing to increase treatment motivation, 3) problem solving around barriers to treatment access and retention, and 4) assistance with scheduling and linkage to treatment. Individuals were deemed to be in "need of treatment" if they reported weekly, or more frequent, substance use since the last checkup, any past-month SUD symptoms, or self-perceived need for treatment.

Participants in the RMC-Adaptive group will receive face-to-face monthly checkups during the first 2 months post-release with additional face-to-face checkups dependent upon the participant's progress. Based on the data presented in the prior section, as long as participants need treatment, they will receive monthly checkups. In addition, for every checkup that a participant does NOT need treatment, the number of months before the next checkup will be increased by 1 month (e.g., after 2 checkups without need, they will receive the next checkup 2 months later, after 3 it will be 3 months, after 4 it will be 4 months, and so on). Based on these decision rules, individuals who have NO treatment need over 24 months will still receive 5 checkups.