ETHNIC MATCHING OF CASEWORKER AND PATIENT IN METHADONE-MAINTENANCE

The relation of ethnic matching of caseworker and patient to treatment outcomes was evaluated in a cohort of 610 opioid users admitted to me thadone maintenance. At admission, the subjects were assigned to casew orkers in rotation. Thirty-seven percent of the Angle subjects, 11% of the African-American subjects, and 60% of the Hispanic subjects were marched with caseworkers of their own ethnic group. In all ethnic grou ps, the matched and nonmatched subgroups did not differ significantly on 11 pretreatment characteristics. The Subgroups also did not differ significantly on 3 treatment variables, with the exception of methadon e dose in the Angle group. The Angle-marched subgroup had a slightly h igher mean dose (61 mg) than did the not matched subgroup (52 mg). In all ethnic groups, the matched and nonmatched subgroups did nor differ significantly on 12 outcome variables. No relation was Sound between ethnic matching and treatment outcomes. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Sc ience Inc.