“Oh, Another Overdose, for the Love of Pete”: First Responder Perspectives on Overdose Response Technology

TL;DR

This study explores how first responders in Alberta view new overdose response technologies like apps and hotlines.

Contribution

It provides novel insights into first responders' perspectives on integrating overdose response technologies into emergency systems.

Findings

First responders expressed mixed feelings about the efficacy and integration of overdose response technologies.

Participants suggested strategies for raising awareness and improving the feasibility of these services.

The study highlights the need for better communication and training to support adoption of these tools.

Abstract

Overdose response applications and hotlines are novel overdose response technologies (ORT)/virtual harm reduction strategies that have recently emerged as a strategy to reduce the harms associated with the ongoing opioid epidemic. First responders are often the first point of contact for people who have overdosed and play a significant role in responses enacted by these services. In this study our aim was to explore the attitudes and perceptions of first responders on these novel technologies.

We recruited 17 participants using purposive sampling through the province of Alberta between February–April 2023 including 11 paramedics, two firefighters, and five emergency communications operators. To be included in the study, participants were required to be older than 18 years of age, have the ability to communicate effectively in English, provide verbal informed consent, and work in an emergency responder role. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by two evaluators. When reviewing interview transcripts we used thematic analysis to identify key themes and subthemes.

Participants discussed their current operating procedures, their current perspectives on overdose response hotlines and apps, how they would best integrate them into their current workloads, and how to raise awareness of these services within first-responder communities. Participants were apprehensive about the integration of these services into their current workloads, including their potential benefits, and raised concerns about their efficacy within communities of people who use drugs. Key strategies were raised for the successful integration of these services into emergency responses including providing information to clients and the feasibility of overdose responses by the general public.

This study’s results add to the existing literature on the toll of the overdose epidemic seen within first-response communities. Furthermore, we explored the communities’ diverse perspectives on these novel technologies, including support and concerns, and propose additional strategies for their integration into emergency responses.