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Patel EU, Grieb SM, Winiker AK, Ching J, Schluth CG, Mehta SH, Kirk GD, Genberg BL. Structural and social changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact on engagement in substance use disorder treatment services: a qualitative study among people with a recent history of injection drug use in Baltimore, Maryland. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:91. [PMID: 38720307 PMCID: PMC11077846 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-01008-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services are critical for achieving and maintaining recovery. There are limited data on how structural and social changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacted individual-level experiences with substance use disorder treatment-related services among community-based samples of people who inject drugs. METHODS People with a recent history of injection drug use who were enrolled in the community-based AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience study in Baltimore, Maryland participated in a one-time, semi-structured interview between July 2021 and February 2022 about their experiences living through the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 28). An iterative inductive coding process was used to identify themes describing how structural and social changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected participants' experiences with substance use disorder treatment-related services. RESULTS The median age of participants was 54 years (range = 24-73); 10 (36%) participants were female, 16 (57%) were non-Hispanic Black, and 8 (29%) were living with HIV. We identified several structural and social changes due the pandemic that acted as barriers and facilitators to individual-level engagement in treatment with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and recovery support services (e.g., support group meetings). New take-home methadone flexibility policies temporarily facilitated engagement in MOUD treatment, but other pre-existing rigid policies and practices (e.g., zero-tolerance) were counteracting barriers. Changes in the illicit drug market were both a facilitator and barrier to MOUD treatment. Decreased availability and pandemic-related adaptations to in-person services were a barrier to recovery support services. While telehealth expansion facilitated engagement in recovery support group meetings for some participants, other participants faced digital and technological barriers. These changes in service provision also led to diminished perceived quality of both virtual and in-person recovery support group meetings. However, a facilitator of recovery support was increased accessibility of individual service providers (e.g., counselors and Sponsors). CONCLUSIONS Structural and social changes across several socioecological levels created new barriers and facilitators of individual-level engagement in substance use disorder treatment-related services. Multilevel interventions are needed to improve access to and engagement in high-quality substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services among people who inject drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshan U Patel
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Suzanne M Grieb
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Abigail K Winiker
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer Ching
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Catherine G Schluth
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Shruti H Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Gregory D Kirk
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Becky L Genberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Thakarar K, Appa A, Abdul Mutakabbir JC, Goff A, Brown J, Tuell C, Fairfield K, Wurcel A. Frame Shift: Focusing on Harm Reduction and Shared Decision Making for People Who Use Drugs Hospitalized With Infections. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:e12-e26. [PMID: 38018174 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kinna Thakarar
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population & Health Research, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Portland, Maine, USA
- Department of Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, USA
| | - Ayesha Appa
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jacinda C Abdul Mutakabbir
- Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Division of the Black Diaspora and African American Studies, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Amelia Goff
- Section of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jessica Brown
- Department of Care Management, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Kathleen Fairfield
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population & Health Research, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Portland, Maine, USA
- Department of Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, USA
| | - Alysse Wurcel
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Scott J, Family H, Kesten JM, Hines L, Millar J. Understanding and learning from rural drug service adaptations to opioid substitution therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: the What C-OST? study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1240402. [PMID: 38098825 PMCID: PMC10720718 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1240402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In April 2020, in response to government COVID-19 advice, changes were made to the way English drug services operated. Methadone and buprenorphine were typically dispensed in 1- to 2-week supplies, and key working was conducted by phone/online. Previous studies have examined the impact of these changes on people from urban settings. This study adds the experiences and perspectives of people receiving care from drug services in rural areas and makes suggestions for future emergency planning. Methods Telephone semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 people receiving care in Somerset, Wiltshire, and Suffolk, rural counties in England. Reflexive thematic analysis was used. Results Three overarching themes were found. "Challenges of rural lockdown" (theme 1) describes how rural community challenges, especially reduced or no rural public transport, were experienced. This hampered some OST collections, with consequential drug use. It also impeded connections to loved ones, worsening isolation. For participants who were struggling pre-pandemic, the intersection between this and their experience of revised drug service operations is embodied in "Amplification of Social Disconnection: Cut off and unheard" (theme 2). They felt a lack of support, particularly from remote provision key working. Participants who had supportive relationships and time in the pandemic occupied in ways they found meaningful, and others who struggled with anxiety or depression, found pandemic changes "Fits better with my life" (theme 3). They experienced more freedom for other things, gained support by other means, such as family, or felt more comfortable with remote engagement. A cross-cutting sub-theme "Understandable Interruptions" showed acceptance of pandemic disruptions. Conclusion National guidance and organizational policy impacted participants in different ways. Those who had supportive relationships and occupied time were better able to make positive use of newfound freedoms and engage with community-level support. In contrast, those who had less stability, including mental health struggles and social isolation, felt cut off and unheard, particularly from key workers. Reduced rural transport was a significant community-level issue, which impeded OST collection and social support. We suggest emergency response plans be created for individuals taking account of their pre-existing personal situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Scott
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Family
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioral Science and Evaluation, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- The National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna May Kesten
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioral Science and Evaluation, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- The National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Lindsey Hines
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Josie Millar
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
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Hill K, Thakarar K, Eslinger H, Prosperino L, Sue KL. Improving the Health of People Who Inject Drugs Through COVID-19-Related Policies. Public Health Rep 2023; 138:862-864. [PMID: 37610106 PMCID: PMC10576482 DOI: 10.1177/00333549231192468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Hill
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kinna Thakarar
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population & Health Research/Maine, Portland, ME, USA
- Department of Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Maine Medical Partners Adult Infectious Diseases, South Portland, ME, USA
| | | | | | - Kimberly L. Sue
- Department of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Bloom R, Thakarar K, Rokas KE. Morbidity and mortality of Serratia marcescens bacteraemia during the substance use epidemic. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2023; 62:106934. [PMID: 37500021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens) is an Enterobacterales species present throughout the environment and causes a range of infections. Historically, S. marcescens has been associated with persons who inject drugs (PWID), but literature is scarce. This study aimed to compare treatment characteristics and clinical outcomes between PWID and non-PWID with Serratia marcescens bacteraemia. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalised with S. marcescens bacteraemia from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2019 at a tertiary medical centre. Patients were included if they were aged ≥ 18 years and had at least one positive blood culture for S. marcescens. RESULTS Of the 67 patients who met inclusion criteria, 14 were identified as PWID (21%) and 53 were non-PWID (79%). Persons who inject drugs were younger (median age: PWID 32 years, non-PWID 67 years) and less likely to have renal disease (PWID 7%, non-PWID 34%). Persons who inject drugs had a higher incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) (PWID 48%, non-PWID 0%) and were more likely to receive combination antimicrobial therapy (PWID 29%, non-PWID 2%). All-cause mortality at 12 months was comparable between groups (PWID 21%, non-PWID 21%). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that long-term outcomes of PWID are comparable with non-PWID, despite PWID being a younger cohort with fewer comorbidities. Clinicians should have high suspicion of IE in PWID with S. marcescens bacteraemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Bloom
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kinna Thakarar
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Infectious Diseases, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA
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Karamouzian M, Rafat B, Kolla G, Urbanoski K, Atkinson K, Bardwell G, Bonn M, Touesnard N, Henderson N, Bowles J, Boyd J, Brunelle C, Eeuwes J, Fikowski J, Gomes T, Guta A, Hyshka E, Ivsins A, Kennedy MC, Laurence G, Martignetti L, Nafeh F, Salters K, Tu D, Strike C, Pauly B, Werb D. Challenges of implementing safer supply programs in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative analysis. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 120:104157. [PMID: 37574645 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canada is experiencing an unprecedented drug toxicity crisis driven by a highly toxic unregulated drug supply contaminated with fentanyl, benzodiazepine, and other drugs. Safer supply pilot programs provide prescribed doses of pharmaceutical alternatives to individuals accessing the unregulated drug supply and have been implemented to prevent overdose and reduce related harms. Given the recent emergence of these pilot programs and the paucity of data on implementation challenges, we sought to document challenges in their initial implementation phase. METHODS We obtained organizational progress reports from Health Canada, submitted between 2020 and 2022 by 11 pilot programs located in British Columbia, Ontario, and New Brunswick. We analyzed the data using deductive and inductive approaches via thematic analysis. Analyses were informed by the consolidated framework for implementation research. RESULTS We obtained 45 progress reports from 11 pilot programs. Six centres were based in British Columbia, four in Ontario, and one in New Brunswick. Four overarching themes were identified regarding the challenges faced during the establishment and implementation of pilot programs: i) Organizational features (e.g., physical space constraints, staff shortages); ii) Outer contexts (e.g., limited operational funds and resources, structural inequities to access, public perceptions); iii) Intervention characteristics (e.g., clients' unmet medication needs); and iv) Implementation process (e.g., pandemic-related challenges, overly medicalized and high-barrier safer supply models). CONCLUSIONS Safer supply pilot programs in Canada face multiple inner and outer implementation challenges. Given the potential role of safer supply programs in addressing the drug toxicity crisis in Canada and the possibility of future scale-up, services should be well-supported during their implementation phases. Refining service provision within safer supply programs based on the feedback and experiences of clients and program administrators is warranted, along with efforts to ensure that appropriate medications are available to meet the clients' needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Karamouzian
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bijan Rafat
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gillian Kolla
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Karen Urbanoski
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Kate Atkinson
- Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Geoff Bardwell
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada; British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Matthew Bonn
- Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs, Dartmouth, NS, Canada
| | | | - Nancy Henderson
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Jeanette Bowles
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jade Boyd
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Caroline Brunelle
- Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick-Saint John campus, Saint John, NB, Canada
| | - Jolene Eeuwes
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jill Fikowski
- Changemark Research + Evaluation, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tara Gomes
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adrian Guta
- School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Elaine Hyshka
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Alberta, AB, Canada
| | - Andrew Ivsins
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mary Clare Kennedy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; School of Social Work, University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus), BC, Canada
| | - Gab Laurence
- Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lucas Martignetti
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Frishta Nafeh
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kate Salters
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - David Tu
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Kilala Lelum, Urban Indigenous Health and Healing Co-operative, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Carol Strike
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bernadette Pauly
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Dan Werb
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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McFadden LM. Changes in buprenorphine visits in frontier and remote locations: Effects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2023; 7:100155. [PMID: 37065774 PMCID: PMC10052936 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2023.100155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Background The pandemic has changed many aspects of healthcare, including the treatment of people with opioid use disorder with buprenorphine. Prior to the pandemic, rural health disparities existed in the accessibility of this treatment. Rural and frontier areas of the United States, particularly the Great Plains, had few or no providers of this evidence-based treatment. This study aimed to investigate how access to buprenorphine changed in the Great Plains during the pandemic. Methods This retrospective observational study compared the number of weekly patient appointments resulting in a buprenorphine prescription for 55 weeks before the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and 55 weeks after. Electronic health records of the largest rural health provider in the Great Plains were queried. Patients were categorized as coming from a frontier location or a non-frontier location based on the home address provided at the visit. The USDA defines frontier as communities that are small and distant from urban centers. Time series analysis was utilized to understand changes in weekly visits during this period. Results A significant increase in weekly buprenorphine visits occurred after the pandemic's start. Further, females and people from frontier locations had significantly higher numbers of buprenorphine visits. Conclusions In an area of the country with low pre-existing access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder, increases in buprenorphine visits were found after the pandemic began. This was particularly true of females who reside in frontier areas. Pandemic-related changes may have reduced barriers to this critical treatment, especially among rural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. McFadden
- University of South Dakota, 414 E. Clark Street, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
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Pietrantoni D, Barroca C, Lynch S, Byrne J, Ortner M, Kotwani R, Limbrick K, Kaldas P, Moussa M, Fredrickson T, Schaefer J, Jacobs RJ. A Scoping Review on the Effects of COVID-19 on Syringe Service Programs in the United States. Cureus 2023; 15:e39023. [PMID: 37378253 PMCID: PMC10292154 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.39023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had worldwide impacts, including disrupting community services. One interrupted service was syringe service programs (SSPs), community-established initiatives that provide sterile supplies and aid in overcoming addiction in drug-using participants. In the United States (U.S.), SSPs have been key in combating the recent opioid use crisis and associated infections such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C. While some published reports on the pandemic's overall impacts on SSPs exist, certain aspects such as operational changes and repercussions on staff and participants may still be lacking. Information about the impact of interrupted SSP services due to the pandemic may provide insight into how to prepare to mitigate similar outcomes during possible future health outbreaks. The aim of this scoping review was thus to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operations, staff, and participants of SSPs in the U.S. The initial search of the databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science with selected keywords yielded 117 articles published in English between January 1, 2020, and August 31, 2022. After screening each article for study eligibility, 11 articles were included in the final review. Of the seven articles exploring SSP operational impacts from the pandemic, five acknowledged that mitigation strategies influenced functions, seven highlighted supply changes, and four emphasized the resulting staffing changes. Four studies inspected the pandemic's impacts on SSP participants, which included two articles highlighting participants' struggles with isolation and loneliness, one referencing the fear of exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and two examining the overall negative psychological effects experienced during this time. SSPs in various settings and regions across the U.S. experienced changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these modifications negatively impacted operations, staffing, and participant relationships. Examining the issues that individual SSPs encountered highlights opportunities for structured solutions for the present and in the case of future infectious disease outbreaks. With the severity of the opioid use crisis in the U.S. and the dependence on SSPs for its mitigation, future work in this space should be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Pietrantoni
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Crystal Barroca
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Sarah Lynch
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Jonathan Byrne
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Miranda Ortner
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Roshni Kotwani
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Kolin Limbrick
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Paul Kaldas
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Michael Moussa
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Tatem Fredrickson
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schaefer
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Robin J Jacobs
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
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Thakarar K, Kohut M, Stoddard H, Burris D, Chessa F, Sikka MK, Solomon DA, Kershaw CM, Eaton E, Hutchinson R, Fairfield KM, Friedmann P, Stopka TJ. 'I feel like they're actually listening to me': a pilot study of a hospital discharge decision-making conversation guide for patients with injection drug use-associated infections. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2023; 10:20499361231165108. [PMID: 37034032 PMCID: PMC10074622 DOI: 10.1177/20499361231165108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of injection drug use (IDU)-associated infections and associated hospitalizations has been increasing for nearly two decades. Due to issues ranging from ongoing substance use to peripherally inserted central catheter safety, many clinicians find discharge decision-making challenging. Typically, clinicians advise patients to remain hospitalized for several weeks for intravenous antimicrobial treatment; however, some patients may desire other antimicrobial treatment options. A structured conversation guide, delivered by infectious disease physicians, intended to inform hospital discharge decisions has the potential to enhance patient participation in decisions. We developed a conversation guide in order to: (1) investigate its feasibility and acceptability and (2) examine experiences, outcomes, and lessons learned from use of the guide. Methods We interviewed physicians after they each piloted the conversation guide with two patients. We interviewed patients immediately after the conversation and again 4-6 weeks later. Two analysts indexed transcriptions and used the framework method to identify and organize relevant information. We conducted retrospective chart review to corroborate and contextualize qualitative data. Results Eight patients and four infectious disease physicians piloted the conversation guide. All patients (N = 8) completed antimicrobial treatment. Nearly all participants believed the conversation guide was important for incorporating patient values and preferences. Patients reported an increased sense of autonomy, but felt post-discharge needs could be better addressed. Physician participants identified the guide's long length and inclusion of pain management as areas for improvement. Conclusions A novel conversation guide to inform hospital discharge decision-making for patients with IDU-associated infections was feasible, acceptable, and fostered the incorporation of patient preferences and values into decisions. While we identified areas for improvement, overall participants believed that this novel conversation guide helped to improve patient care and autonomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinna Thakarar
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School
of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population and
Health Research, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Portland, ME, USA
- Divisions of Infectious Disease and Addiction
Medicine, Department of Medicine, Maine Medical Center, 41 Donald B. Dean
Drive, Suite B, South Portland, ME 04106, USA
| | - Michael Kohut
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population and
Health Research, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Henry Stoddard
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population and
Health Research, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Deb Burris
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population and
Health Research, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Frank Chessa
- Department of Medical Ethics, Tufts University
School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Monica K. Sikka
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Oregon Health
& Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Daniel A. Solomon
- Division of Infectious Disease, Brigham and
Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Colleen M. Kershaw
- Section of Infectious Disease and
International Health, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH,
USA
- Department of Medicine, Geisel School of
Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Ellen Eaton
- Division of Infectious Disease, School of
Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rebecca Hutchinson
- Division of Palliative Care, Maine Medical
Center, Portland, ME, USA
- Department of Medical Education, Tufts
University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population and
Health Research, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Fairfield
- Department of Medicine, Maine Medical Center,
Portland, ME, USA
- Department of Medical Education, Tufts
University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population and
Health Research, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Peter Friedmann
- Office of Research, UMass Chan Medical School,
Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Thomas J. Stopka
- Department of Public Health and Community
Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Frank Chessa is also affiliated to Maine
Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA
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