Telemedicine addiction treatment has long faced skepticism from medical boards and insurers, often dismissed as less effective than in-person care. Workit Health’s research division, Workit Labs, is changing that narrative with a steady stream of peer-reviewed studies that document retention rates, adherence, and patient outcomes far above industry averages.
Findings from Workit Labs appear in journals such as JAMA Network Open, the Journal of Patient Experience, and the Journal of Addiction Medicine, influencing how regulators, payers, and providers view virtual care for substance use disorder. Their data is cited in policy debates and used to set benchmarks for what telemedicine can achieve in addiction medicine.
Evidence That Drives Policy
One of Workit Labs’ landmark studies, published in JAMA Network Open in August 2025, revealed that pharmacy barriers prevent 30% of telemedicine patients from accessing buprenorphine, the gold-standard medication for opioid use disorder. The study quantified the disconnect between prescription approval and actual medication receipt, exposing a systemic flaw that had gone largely unmeasured until now.
Another publication in the Journal of Patient Experience, July 2025, explored how small details—such as clinicians’ virtual backgrounds and attire—impact patient satisfaction during telemedicine appointments. The research found that patients valued professionalism and comfort, and that minor changes in appearance could influence trust and engagement. These granular findings have prompted clinics across the country to rethink their telehealth protocols.
Impact on Rural and Perinatal Care
Workit Labs’ March 2024 study in JAMA Network Open documented that 94% of pregnant patients receiving opioid use disorder care through telemedicine remained engaged through six weeks postpartum, a rate unheard of in traditional models. Every participant tested positive for buprenorphine after delivery, proving near-perfect medication adherence.
For rural populations, Workit Health’s research has shown that telemedicine can narrow the gap in retention rates. Their February 2025 study in Addiction Science & Clinical Practice found that mailing buprenorphine directly to patients’ homes boosted retention compared to requiring pharmacy pickups. These findings have been cited in federal grant applications and state-level expansion plans for addiction services.
Setting New Benchmarks
Workit Labs’ April 2025 research in the Journal of General Internal Medicine examined the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists—medications originally developed for diabetes—to reduce alcohol cravings. The results suggested these drugs may offer new options for treating alcohol use disorder, prompting further clinical trials and discussion in medical circles.
Each publication from Workit Labs is built on real-world data from tens of thousands of patients, not just controlled trials. The research team includes epidemiologists, pharmacists, and clinicians who collaborate to ensure findings are both scientifically rigorous and practically useful. Their work is cited in federal guidelines and referenced in state health department training manuals.
Spencer Hulse is the Editorial Director at Grit Daily. He is responsible for overseeing other editors and writers, day-to-day operations, and covering breaking news.
