Challenges to Studying Illicit Drug Users

PurposeThroughout the world, illicit drug use continues to pose a significant risk to public health. The opioid crisis in North America, the diversion of the prescription drug tramadol throughout Africa, and the increasing supply of methamphetamines in East and South Asia all contribute to increasing risks to individual and societal health. Furthermore, the violation of human rights in efforts to enforce prohibitionist values poses significant threats to many individuals worldwide. With these evolving situations, it is imperative that researchers direct their attention to the various populations of illicit drug users. However, the inclusion of illicit drug users, often considered a vulnerable population, as participants in research studies presents several increased risks that must be addressed in study protocols. Researchers are required to provide â additional safeguardsâ to all study protocols involving illicit drug users, but there is often substantial variability and inconsistency in how these safeguards are applied. Additional safeguards can be timely, costly, and unduly burdensome for researchers, ethical review boards, and research participants.ApproachThrough synthesis of the current literature, this article addresses the barriers to studying illicit drug users and the methods researchers can utilize to minimize risk. A case study is provided to illustrate the high level of scrutiny of study protocols involving the participation of illicit drug users and the effect of such scrutiny on recruitment of participants. The article concludes with a discussion of the effects of the current political climate on the recruitment of illicit drug users in research.ConclusionsIndividuals who participate in criminal or illegal behaviors such as illicit drug use, prostitution, illegal entry into a country, and human trafficking are susceptible to multiple physical, mental, and social health risks, as well as criminal prosecution. The importance of research on the health of marginalized populations cannot be overstated. This work must continue, and at the same time, we must continue to protect these individuals to the best of our ability through diligent attention to sound research methods.Clinical RelevanceThe use of illicit drugs continues to pose a substantial threat to global health. Individuals who use illicit drugs are susceptible to multiple physical, mental, and social health risks, as well as criminal prosecution. It is imperative that researchers study these vulnerable populations in order to develop interventions to minimize individual and societal harm. There are several barriers to the study of illicit drug users that must be addressed through rigorous methodology and the addition of safeguards.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150546/1/jnu12486.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150546/2/jnu12486_am.pd

Using Change Management to Redesign Oman׳s Health Professions Education Sector

Objectives: this study aimed to examine the systems and process needed to enhance the quality of the Ministry of Health educational programs during a period of transition. A reformation is currently taking place to transform all the Ministry of Health educational Institutes to Oman College of Health Sciences. Method: a descriptive qualitative study took place between December 2012 and November 2013 at the Ministry of Health Educational Institutes, Muscat, Oman. A purposeful sample of 20 participants made up four focus groups, and three semi-structured interviews. A sample of deans, quality assurance focal points who are also teaching faculty at their respective institutes, program faculty, and members from the foundation center made up the four focus groups. Participants from the deans and focal point groups represented the semi-structured interviews. Results: Four main themes emerged:, the effect of change, management of change, the effect of transition, and management of transition. Findings indicated that change towards upgrading the current health education institutions to a college had a positive impact on participants, however, the absence of a clear vision and change management strategy resulted in adverse psychological impact on participants in the journey towards implementing this change. Feelings of mistrust due to lack of systematic communication regarding the proposed change was also expressed by all participants. Conclusion: change management plays a vital role in ensuring the quality of the end product and moving the organization towards the desired goal; specifically, the people side of change is a main driver for successful change management planning