A new study coordinated by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC CfE) is looking for people to take part in focus groups to share their experiences with drug overdoses during COVID. The project is called “Providing insight into and mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the occurrence, severity, complications, and long-term health effects of drug overdoses in people living with and without HIV in British Columbia, Canada.” The Primary Investigator is Dr. Robert Hogg, PhD, senior research scientist at the BC-CfE and distinguished professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University.
This research project aims to enhance our understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the occurrence of nonfatal overdoses among people living with and without HIV. Additionally, researchers seek to gain insights into the complications and long-term health consequences associated with nonfatal overdoses during the pandemic. They are particularly interested in gathering perspectives from individuals who have direct experience with drug overdoses during this time, including both those who have experienced or are at risk of overdoses and their healthcare providers.
Ultimately, the goal is to develop recommendations for clinical guidelines that improve the care of people living with HIV who are at risk of or have experienced a nonfatal overdose. These recommendations aim to reduce the risk of repeat overdoses and mitigate adverse health outcomes.
Focus groups will last up to 2 hours and participants will be provided an honorarium of $60.
Focus group dates:
1. Monday July 24th, 2023 – at VANDU (12:15-2:15 PM)
2. Thursday July 27th, 2023 – at AIDS Vancouver (3-5 PM) for people living with HIV
3. Monday July 31st, 2023 – at VANDU (12:15-2:15 PM) for people who identify as Indigenous
4. Thursday August 3rd, 2023 – at AIDS Vancouver (3-5 PM) for people living with HIV
5. Thursday August 10th, 2023 – at AIDS Vancouver (3-5 PM) for people living with HIV
VANDU is located at: 380 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1P4
AIDS Vancouver is located at: 1101 Seymour St 4th Floor, Vancouver, BC V6B 0R1
For information about the study, focus groups and to enrol, please contact:
COAST Study Team
Email: [email protected]
Contact Number: 604-682-2344 ext.66878