Realist Synthesis Review of Post-Overdose Interventions: Quick Response Teams – UROP Spring Symposium 2021

Realist Synthesis Review of Post-Overdose Interventions: Quick Response Teams

Mary Dwan

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Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Research Mentor(s): Chin Hwa Dahlem, Clinical Associate Professor
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing
Presentation Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Session: Session 2 (11am – 11:50am)
Breakout Room: Room 11
Presenter: 2

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Abstract

Introduction: The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis that killed over 46,000 people in the United States in 2018. Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been formed as a community response to prevent subsequent overdoses and decrease opioid-related deaths. Each QRT is composed of interdisciplinary team members that encompass public health officials, law enforcement, EMS, and peer-recovery supports. Though each QRT differs in team composition, the primary purpose of QRTs is to engage overdose survivors with recovery support and treatment services. However, limited research exists in evaluating QRTs and understanding their successes and failures in practice. Therefore, through a realist synthesis review, we seek to identify how different QRTs operate within their communities. Methods: Realist synthesis review is useful because it investigates how and why community-based interventions with multiple components work within the context of their environments. We will begin by conducting a literature search by generating search terms and questions central to the purpose of QRTs. We will then describe the different QRTs, identify what strategies lead to positive outcomes for QRTs, and in what contexts. Results: Through our literature review, we aim to understand how, why, and under what circumstances do QRTs work in engaging overdose survivors to prevent subsequent nonfatal and fatal overdoses. Conclusions: This realist review synthesis will aid community partners and policy-makers in understanding the contextual factors of how QRTs work and do not work to inform policy and future funding.

Authors: Mary Dwan, Chin Hwa (Gina) Dahlem
Research Method: Clinical Research

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