Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42400068›Full record

ArticleSubstance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy2026

Perspectives on harm reduction kit implementation in heterogeneous outpatient clinics.

Raagini Jawa, Margaret Shang, Austen Markus, Megan Hamm, José Luiggi-Hernández, Flor de Abril Cameron, Gary McMurtrie, Olivia Studnicki, Mary Hawk, Devon Check and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Raagini JawaDivision of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. rjawa@pitt.edu.
Margaret ShangDivision of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Austen MarkusCenter for Research on Healthcare, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3609 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
Megan HammCenter for Research on Healthcare, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3609 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
José Luiggi-HernándezCenter for Research on Healthcare, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3609 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
Flor de Abril CameronCenter for Research on Healthcare, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3609 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
Gary McMurtrieCenter for Research on Healthcare, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3609 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
Olivia StudnickiCenter for Research on Healthcare, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3609 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
Mary HawkUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Devon CheckDepartment of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
Jessica MerlinDivision of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Jane LiebschutzDivision of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Funding

Tailored Retention and Engagement for Equitable Treatment of OUD and Pain (TREETOP)RM1DA055311 · NIDA · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI HAMM, MEGAN, MERLIN, JESSICA S · 2021 to 2025
$12.7M
University of Pittsburgh Collaboration in Addiction Training Scholars (PittCATS) ProgramK12DA050607 · NIDA · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI Jane M. Liebschutz, Erin L Winstanley · 2020 to 2026
$3.2M
NIDA NIH HHS K12 DA050607NIDA NIH HHS K12DA050607NIDA NIH HHS RM1 DA055311NIDA NIH HHS RM1DA055311
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe evolving U.S. drug market has fueled a public health crisis with rising drug use-associated morbidity and mortality, revealing a mismatch between current abstinence-based addiction care and the needs of people who use drugs (PWUD) to access evidence-based harm reduction services (HRS). Co-locating HRS into outpatient clinics could reduce mortality and improve clinical outcomes. We investigated barriers and facilitators of HRS implementation through kit distribution at three heterogenous outpatient addiction clinics using pre- and post-implementation focus groups.

methodsUsing a qualitative description approach, we conducted 1-hour virtual focus groups and individual interviews with clinic staff and providers both pre- and post-implementation of kit distribution. Interview guides were based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to assess anticipated and actual implementation barriers and facilitators. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

resultsFive providers and six staff participated in pre-implementation data collection. Dominant themes pre-implementation included participant enthusiasm for HRS integration and anticipated barriers of personal knowledge and external stigma against PWUD. Six providers and five staff participated post-implementation. Participants reported successful kit implementation with few actual barriers, though external stigma at the individual, health system, and community levels, along with issues related to patient use and interactions with child protective services, law enforcement, and pharmacies, occasionally disrupted the process. The lack of sustainable funding for supplies and labor emerged as a primary concern for long-term sustainability, with clinics actively seeking alternative funding sources.

conclusionsImplementation of HRS in outpatient addiction clinics was well-received by providers and staff and supported by pre-implementation trainings, site champions, and favorable implementation environments. Further efforts are needed to reduce stigma in the greater community and achieve sustainable funding for HRS.

Indexed as

Ambulatory Care FacilitiesHarm ReductionSubstance-Related DisordersFemaleFocus GroupsHumansQualitative ResearchHarm reductionImplementation scienceOutpatient clinics

Identifiers

PMID42400068
PMCPMC13602537

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.