■ Healthcare
LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
■ Healthcare
Grill-Goodman : How does Remote Observation of Take-Home Metha done work ? Ibidunni : Remote observation is simple . Patients log into their Sonara account and scan a QR code on a Sonara tamper aware label . The Sonara label is placed on the patient ’ s takehome methadone vial by the OTP . Once the label is scanned , the patient is prompted to record themselves taking their medication . The asynchronous video is then available for their care team to review .
Grill-Goodman : While the specifics of how funds will be distributed and which clinics will participate are still being finalized , can you give some background on the goals of the program ? Ibidunni : The purpose of the pilot program is to increase equitable access to take-home methadone , and to demonstrate clinical effectiveness , cost-effectiveness , and improved patient satisfaction , with the ultimate goal of New Jersey Medicaid reimbursing OTPs for remote observation of take-home methadone . A third-party evaluation will be completed to validate the results of the pilot program . Depending on a few factors , we hope to work with the NJ Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence to identify and partner with 4-8 OTPs , of the 66 OTPs that operate in New Jersey . Stay up to date and sign up for pilot program updates here .
Grill-Goodman : How does this $ 250,000 funding highlight a shift towards innovative treatment options for opioid users ? Ibidunni : Many barriers such as stigma , lack of convenience , and burdensome treatment requirements contribute to dropout rates or reluctance to start treatment . Remote observation is a mechanism to increase access to take-home methadone , thereby reducing barriers to methadone treatment . Additionally , it also supports clinical evidence that indicates supervision – up to a point – is beneficial for treatment retention .
From COVID 19 pandemic data , we know increasing access to take home methadone did not result in adverse events , but did increase treatment retention and engagement . So much so that SAMHSA – the federal agency that oversees the behavioral health of the nation – made permanent the take-home flexibilities of the COVID 19 pandemic in a final rule issued on February 2 , 2024 . Despite this , we also know treatment centers are reluctant to give more take-home , which means fewer people than are eligible will receive take-home methadone .
Grill-Goodman : How is this funding set to transform the landscape of addiction treatment amid this unprecedented crisis ? Ibidunni : This funding allows for the spread and adoption of remote observation of takehome methadone and supports the opportunity to change the narrative of methadone as liquid handcuffs . We believe that as people learn about Sonara , more would be willing to engage or re-engage in methadone treatment . This is supported by the patients who contact us and ask if we ’ re operational in their state , and from the 71.1 % of current Sonara participants who indicated they would have thought about recovery differently , if they knew Sonara existed .
Grill-Goodman : When will NJ residents start to see the pilot accessible ? Ibidunni : We ’ re currently working with New Jersey DMHAS ( Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services ) to finalize the details and hope to have the pilot program operational by Fall / Winter 2024 . New Jersey residents who receive care from an OTP participating in the pilot program will be eligible to participate in Sonara .
Grill-Goodman : Is there anything COMMERCE readers and CIANJ members can do to address NJ ’ s drug epidemic ? Ibidunni : Support your local organizations advocating for increased access to treatment and harm reduction strategies . Keep an open mind , and consider , a continuum of services is more likely to save lives than one school of thought . Challenge your fears or personal biases that oppose the construction of new OTPs – services need to exist where people can easily access them , and that includes your neighborhood too .
LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
The Interview Equation
By Steve Adubato , PhD
Freelance Contributor
Whether you are looking for a career change or you have lost your job due to downsizing or restructuring , consider the following tips and tools when it comes to mastering the interview equation :
Don ’ t talk in generalities . Instead of saying , “ I ’ m a team player ,” or , “ I ’ m a problem solver ,” be more intentional . For example , when you say you are a team player , immediately follow up with a concrete example or anecdote that describes how you did this in a previous job and the benefits the organization gained .
Research the employer . Connect the information you gain on the company and its activities to your interview . If you say that you are a “ strategic thinker ” who has experienced “ leading change ,” talk about how those attributes can help the company in their recently announced expansion .
Don ’ t repeat what is in your resume . Too often , we recite back the key roles and responsibilities that are clearly laid out in our resume . Instead , the interview is an opportunity to bring to life the words on your resume and how your experience has prepared you to contribute to the new position you are applying for .
The interview is an opportunity to bring to life how your experience has prepared you .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / AzmanJaka
Be concise . Given that employers interview so many people , you have a narrow window to get their attention . The key is to be as specific and customized in your interview communication as possible , preferably 60 seconds or less .
Prepare your main messages . Write down some bullets that succinctly lay out who you are and why you would be valuable to a particular organization . These points can be used to answer a variety of commonly asked interview questions that often stump people such as , “ tell me about yourself ” or “ why do you think we should hire you ?”
Steve Adubato , PhD , is the author of five books including , “ Lessons in Leadership .” His sixth book , “ Lessons in Leadership 2.0 : The Tough Stuff ,” will be released in summer 2023 . He is an Emmy ® Award-winning anchor with programs airing on Thirteen / WNET ( PBS ) and NJ PBS . He has also appeared on CNN , NPR and NBC ’ s Today Show . Steve Adubato ' s “ Lessons in Leadership ” video podcast with co-host Mary Gamba airs Sundays at 10:00 a . m . on News 12 +. For more information visit www . Stand-Deliver . com