Abstract
BackgroundDuring the scaling-up of a national Norwegian take-home naloxone (THN) program, data collection methods shifted from paper-based to electronic. The aim of this study was to explore staff preferences towards the shift in data collection.MethodsIn January–February 2020, a survey was sent out via email to personnel involved with the THN program (n = 200). The survey included 17 questions, and covered staff demographics, experiences distributing THN, preferences towards data collection (both paper and electronically), and an open response section. Descriptive statistics were performed for the survey results. The open response section was recorded from each questionnaire and was coded into major themes by the authors.ResultsIn total, 122 staff completed the survey. Of these, 62% had experience with both electronic and paper-based forms, and there was a near unanimous preference towards electronic data collection over paper-based forms. From the free-text responses, staff found the electronic form to be a useful tool for conversation and overdose prevention education, and that the electronic form was easier to manage than the paper forms.ConclusionThe shift towards electronic data collection was necessary for the feasibility of the Norwegian national THN program. This study found that staff not only tolerated the shift, but in most cases preferred this organizational change.
Highlights
During the scaling-up of a national Norwegian take-home naloxone (THN) program, data collection methods shifted from paper-based to electronic
The participants in our study reported a preference towards the electronic form, which may indicate improved buy-in
Overall, our findings indicate acceptance towards the shift from paper forms to an electronic form for a national THN program, without loss of quality from the services provided to the end-users
Summary
During the scaling-up of a national Norwegian take-home naloxone (THN) program, data collection methods shifted from paper-based to electronic. Scaling-up of THN programs to reach relevant and sizeable populations of high-risk users is possible [4], some studies have reported barriers related to implementation [5]. These barriers include those related to workflow, staff roles, and responsibilities [5]. In other areas of public health, shifting administrative expectations have been associated with barriers related to both individual and organizational factors This included issues with technical skills, lack of time, psychological and social factors, and how top-down implementation can potentially affect the process negatively, as it alienates the end-users from the intervention [6, 7]
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