Director of Telemedicine Interviews with Voice of America on MATTERS

13 February 2022

Dr. Renoj Varughese, MATTERS Director of Telemedicine, interviewed with The Voice of America on the opioid emergency in the United States. The video highlights the dangers of synthetic opioids and its effect on overdose cases. Dr. Varughese discusses the MATTERS Network and its emphasis on patients’ power to choose what kind of treatment they want and where they would like to follow up.

The MATTERS Referral Network consists of outpatient clinics, pharmacies, hospitals, emergency department, EMS agencies, law enforcement and corrections, primary care offices, Opioid Courts, and other cross-sector organizations. MATTERS facilitates emergency referrals from a variety of settings to long-term, outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder.

It is important to meet people where they are, whenever they are ready to engage with treatment or preventative resources. Telemedicine offers the ability to connect individuals to treatment from any location. The MATTERS Network mobile app also increases rapid access to treatment and resources.  Individuals can connect to telemedicine, request free harm reduction supplies, and find educational materials on their mobile device using the MATTERS Network mobile app.

Consider joining the Network or learn more about MATTERS on our home page.