A qualitative study of the misuse of opioid substitution therapy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study of the misuse and diversion of opioid substitution therapy
IRAS ID
227732
Contact name
Katy R Holloway
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of South Wales
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
This qualitative study will investigate the use, misuse and diversion of opioid substitution therapy (OST) in Wales. Research has shown that the misuse of OST is associated with a range of negative (sometimes fatal) consequences and can reduce the likelihood of successful outcomes from the treatment of opioid dependence (Reimer et al 2015). However, to date, research on the topic has been heavily weighted towards the collection of quantitative data that measures (or attempts to) the extent of the problem (Horyniak et al 2011). Little is known about the experience of OST in its entirety, i.e. from treatment entry when prescribing decisions are made through to use, misuse and diversion. The proposed research aims to fill this gap in knowledge. This is important because misuse and diversion of OST are associated with a wide range of negative consequences for individual users, family, friends and society as a whole. The research will employ a qualitative strategy and data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with service users and an online survey of key stakeholders (including prescribers, commissioners, and third sector service providers including criminal justice agencies). To ensure full geographical coverage of Wales, interviewees will be recruited from organisations that deliver OST in each of the seven Area Planning Boards of Wales and the interviews will be conducted within their premises (or by telephone if participants prefer). The online survey will be distributed by email to our networks of contacts in the field and participants will be able to complete the survey anonymously in their own time. We anticipate that the interviews will take approximately 30 minutes to conduct and the survey 20 minutes to complete. Once approval has been awarded it is estimated that the project will be completed within 12 months.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
18/WA/0008
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion