Design considerations for overdose education and Naloxone distribution: Results of a multi-stakeholder workshop

Abstract Background Opioid overdose epidemic is a public health crisis that is impacting communities around the world. Overdose education and naloxone distribution programs equip and train lay people to respond in the event of an overdose. We aimed to design an open-access naloxone kit and ultra-brief education session for use in point-of-care settings. Methods We hosted a multi-stakeholder co-design workshop to elicit suggestions for the kit and education session. We recruited people with lived experience of opioid overdose, community representatives, and other stakeholders from family practice, emergency medicine, addictions medicine, and public health to participate in a one-day facilitated co-design discussion wherein large and small group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic approaches. Results A total of twenty four participants participated in the multi-stakeholder workshop from five stakeholder groups including geographic and setting diversity. Collaborative dialogue and shared storytelling which revealed seven design considerations: recognizing overdose, how much naloxone, impact of stigma, legal risk of responding, position as conventional first aid, friends and family as responders, support to call 911. Conclusion To create an open access kit and ultra-brief education session for distribution in emergency departments, family practice and substance use treatment services, stigma is a central design consideration. Design choices that reference the iconography, type, and form of materials associated with first aid have the potential to satisfy the need to de-stigmatize overdose response.