Physician perspectives on reducing harm and supporting emergency department patients who use drugs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

People who use drugs (PWUD) frequently seek care in the emergency department (ED). Little is known about ED physician perspectives and experiences integrating a harm reduction approach into care, including interventions that reduce the health, social and legal consequences of drug use without requiring a reduction in drug use.

Objective

This study aimed to describe the experiences of Canadian emergency physicians caring for PWUD, and facilitators and barriers to implementing harm reduction interventions in the ED.

Methods

Purposive sampling, using an existing national network, and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit practicing emergency physicians. Semi-structured, one-on-one telephone interviews were conducted until theoretical data saturatio

SUBMITTER: Collins ZKD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12266462 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature