{
  "abstract": "Objective\n\nContingency management (CM) is an evidence-based behavioral intervention using positive reinforcement to achieve a treatment goal. Despite effectiveness in treating those with substance use disorders (SUDs), CM is underutilized in clinical practice. This study describes the development of a CM intervention in a family medicine residency program SUD treatment program and evaluates patient retention and experiences.Methods\n\nThis retrospective observational pilot study focused on patients receiving treatment for SUD and CM services at two Delaware family medicine clinics between August 2023 and June 2024. Participants earned points for visit attendance and urine drug screens meeting treatment goals. Points were redeemed using a two-tiered fishbowl system. Outcomes included patient retention at 3 and 6 months. Patient experiences were assessed using a mixed-methods survey administered between March and August of 2025.Results\n\nForty-seven patients received CM services. Median participation was 9 months (IQR, 5-10). SUD treatment retention was 93.6% (3 months) and 78.7% (6 months). Retention for ≥6 months differed significantly between participants treated for opioid use disorder (OUD) and other SUDs (p=0.04). Participants earned a median of 8 points (IQR, 5-12), representing approximately 80% of the median number of points possible. Over half of participants (54.8%, 23/42) completed the survey. Overall, respondents reported positive experiences with CM. Thematic analysis of open-ended survey items further contextualized these findings with descriptive participant feedback.Conclusions\n\nCM implementation in a family medicine residency SUD treatment program was feasible and associated with high retention rates. Findings highlight the value of automated documentation, appropriate workflows, and adequate participant incentives. Larger prospective studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to assess effectiveness and sustainability.Policy implications\n\nCM represents a patient-centered alternative to a historically punitive approaches to SUD care by focusing on positive reinforcement, promoting equitable treatment access, and encouraging affirming interactions between patients and providers.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "iREACH Research Institute, Christiana Care Health System.",
    "Department of Family and Community Medicine, Christiana Care Health System."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Kimberly D Williams"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Deanna Gorgei"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Kendall McDowell"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Jordan Jacobs"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "James M LaRosa"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0tr4vyp7vs5ms.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.32481/djph.2026.10.09",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13712900",
  "id": "0tr4vyp7vs5ms",
  "issns": [
    "2639-6378"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42948813",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Research Article"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2713|Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223976359",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13712900?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13712900",
  "pmid": "42948813",
  "published": "2026-10-26",
  "publisher": "Delaware Academy of Medicine and Public Health",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0tr4vyp7vs5ms.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-31T00:20:33Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42948813",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42948813"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-31T12:23:23Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13712900",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.32481/djph.2026.10.09"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2713|Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Evaluation of a Contingency Management Intervention to Treat Substance Use Disorders in a Family Medicine Residency Program: A Retrospective Observational Review Study of Patient Outcomes and Experiences.",
  "title_text": "Evaluation of a Contingency Management Intervention to Treat Substance Use Disorders in a Family Medicine Residency Program: A Retrospective Observational Review Study of Patient Outcomes and Experiences.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-31T12:23:23Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0tr4vyp7vs5ms",
  "venue": "Delaware journal of public health",
  "versions": []
}