The Opioid Epidemic: Task-Shifting in Health Care and the Case for Access to Harm Reduction for People Who Use Drugs

2020 ◽  
pp. 002073142091482
Author(s):  
Ehsan Jozaghi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Task Shifting ◽  
People Who Use Drugs ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Illegal Markets ◽  
Illegal Drug Use ◽  
Social Structural

We are sadly experiencing unprecedented levels of overdose mortalities attributed to the increased availability of synthetic opioids in illegal markets. While the majority of attention in North America has focused on preventing drug overdose cases through the distribution and administration of naloxone, in addition to stricter regulations of opioid prescriptions and greater law enforcement in illegal markets, little attention has been given to other alternative models and treatments for people who use drugs that are tailored specifically to the health care needs of this marginalized population. Through this analysis, the implications of task-shifting in health care via the distribution of naloxone for an already marginalized population are discussed. Alternatively, the role of pioneering harm-reduction programs – such as supervised injection/consumption sites, a variety of opioids maintenance therapies, and social-structural interventions – are highlighted as crucial interventions in the current ongoing opioid crisis. Moreover, people with lived experiences of illegal drug use are discussed as having a pivotal role but being ultimately overshadowed by public health partners.

Critical Issues in the Health of the Elderly: The Role of Physical Activity

1984 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy J. Shephard
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Health Care Expenditures ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Health Care Needs ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
Critical Issues

ABSTRACTThe potential role of physical activity in the primary, secondary, tertiary and quarternary treatment of disease is examined with particular reference to the health care needs of the elderly. Areas requiring further research are stressed. On present evidence, it would appear likely that enhanced physical activity could make a useful contribution to the containment of health care expenditures; however, it still has to be established how far the gains of physical condition and resultant improvements of health status that are seen in younger individuals could be realized by the various categories of geriatric patient.

Meeting the Health-care Needs of the Rural Elderly: The Unique Role of Village Doctors

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Singer Babiarz ◽  
Hongmei Yi ◽  
Renfu Luo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Rural Elderly ◽  
Health Care Needs ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Unique Role ◽  
Village Doctors

Mental Health Navigation – a Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-159
Author(s):  
Gerald Knesek ◽  
Thomas Hemphill
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Care Needs ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Whole Person

Summary The need for mental health care services is a growing concern around the world. This article proposes a conceptual model for the role a mental health care navigator to meet the growing needs of consumers who are seeking greater access to fragmented and confusing mental health care services. This conceptual model proposes integrating mental health into primary care with a more patient-centered approach to the care of the whole person. This approach is congruent with The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion Charter calling for the reorienting of health services focusing on the total needs of the individual as a whole person. Although USA focused, the model has potential for sharing across countries to build capacity for mental health care in other countries around the world. The conceptual model focuses on matching consumer mental health care needs with the correct mental health care services. This would ensure that patients get the appropriate mental health care services while allowing the primary care physician to maintain the role of coordinator of care for all of the patient’s health care needs. The main intent of the model is to stimulate discussion and exploration around the role of a proposed mental health care navigator that can lead to creating models reflecting local need and adaptation. Successful models can lead to collaborative discussion encouraging capacity building in other countries. The authors maintain that coordination of health care, including mental, medical and surgical care, is the best approach to controlling costs and ensuring the health of the whole person.

scholarly journals Perceived Effects of Leave From Work and the Role of Paid Leave Among Parents of Children With Special Health Care Needs

2009 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 698-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Schuster ◽  
Paul J. Chung ◽  
Marc N. Elliott ◽  
Craig F. Garfield ◽  
Katherine D. Vestal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Special Health Care Needs ◽  
Health Care Needs ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Special Health Care ◽  
Paid Leave ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
Special Health

scholarly journals Anti-Oppressive Practice in Harm Reduction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis Cross
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Personal Responsibility ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
People Who Use Drugs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Peer Engagement

This study interrogates the current neoliberal harm reduction model and examines antioppressive practice within harm reduction through the following research question: how do harm reduction workers in Toronto address structural processes of oppression through their work? Three harm reduction workers participated in one-on-one, semi-structured interviews for this study, and were asked to discuss their understandings and experiences with harm reduction and anti-oppression. Through a phenomenological analysis of participant responses, three themes were developed: participants conceptualize harm reduction beyond personal substance use; facilitate peer engagement and mobilization; and challenge incarceration, policing, and surveillance. These findings indicate that research participants engage in multiple forms of politicized practice that collectively challenge the neoliberal tenet of personal responsibility within harm reduction, as well as the role of the criminal justice system in the lives of people who use drugs. This study concludes with implications for social work practice and research.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document