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Bridging the gap: An environmental scan of post-overdose program features and evaluation measures

Ferg M, Rapisarda SS, Soranno E, Lewis N, Ottoson A, Tschampl CA

The International journal on drug policy, 2024

90 participants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prior overdose incident is a predictor of future non-fatal and fatal overdoses. Therefore, the period immediately following a non-fatal overdose is critical for engaging with survivors; however, they often do not access or receive services immediately after experiencing an overdose. To efficiently reach this high-risk population and provide survivors with services, novel interventions including post-overdose outreach programs have been developed.

METHODS: Using PRISMA guidelines, we conducted an environmental scan of the academic and gray literature on post-overdose programs to identify key features and measures used to evaluate post-overdose programs. Using the Donabedian quality framework we then analyzed the frequency of measures by type of initiating stakeholder.

RESULTS: Of the 36 studies included for final extraction, 14 were descriptive studies, ten were evaluation studies, eight studies identified facilitators and barriers, and four were program design toolkits. Initiator entity types included emergency departments (EDs; n = 10), public health agencies (n = 5), community-based organizations (n = 4), emergency medical services (EMS) (n = 4), law enforcement agencies (n = 4), and some combination or unknown (n = 9). We identified six key features of post-overdose programs across the literature: program theory, team composition, identifying and contacting clients, service provision, public private partnerships, and referrals. We extracted 223 operationalized…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 90 participants or records.

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