Digital Health Empowerment, Brooklyn, USA.
New York University, School of Global Public Health, New York, USA.
Harm Reduct J. 2020 Oct 19;17(1):77. doi: 10.1186/s12954-020-00422-y.
Technology can enable syringe service programs (SSPs) and other community-based organizations (CBOs) operating under a harm reduction framework to work with an increased number of clients and can also enable organizations to offer services more effectively (e.g., offering HIV testing in ways participants may be more likely to accept). In the current time of COVID-19 social distancing, technology can also help organizations more safely provide services to people with compromised immune systems and to clients who might otherwise not be reached. However, technology projects implemented in harm reduction settings are frequently conceptualized and developed by researchers or technology specialists rather than by SSP staff or clients.
To more effectively meet the needs of SSPs and other CBOs across the USA, our team conducted qualitative interviews with 16 individuals who have extensive backgrounds working in the field of harm reduction. Interviews were digitally recorded and professionally transcribed, and the transcripts were checked for accuracy by the interviewers. The resulting transcripts were coded and analyzed to determine emerging themes.
Interviewees mentioned the ability of technology to deliver consistent quality messaging to multiple clients at the same time and the potential to customize or tailor technology-based messaging to specific client populations as positive benefits. Clear barriers to technology use also emerged, in particular regarding privacy, data security, and the need to maintain client trust when discussing sensitive issues (e.g., illicit drug use).
Technology offers the potential to deliver consistently high-quality health communication and maintain contact with clients who may have no other access to care. If designed and managed effectively, technology can also address issues related to providing services during times when physical contact is limited due to COVID-19 social distancing measures.
技术可以使注射器服务项目（SSP）和其他以减少伤害为框架运作的社区组织（CBO）能够为更多的客户提供服务，还可以使组织更有效地提供服务（例如，以参与者更有可能接受的方式提供 HIV 检测）。在当前 COVID-19 社交距离的情况下，技术还可以帮助组织更安全地为免疫系统受损的人和其他可能无法接触到的客户提供服务。然而，在减少伤害环境中实施的技术项目通常是由研究人员或技术专家而不是 SSP 工作人员或客户来构思和开发的。
为了更有效地满足美国各地 SSP 和其他 CBO 的需求，我们的团队对 16 名在减少伤害领域有丰富背景的个人进行了定性访谈。访谈以数字方式记录并由专业人员转录，访谈者检查转录本的准确性。生成的转录本进行了编码和分析，以确定出现的主题。
受访者提到了技术同时向多个客户传递一致质量信息的能力，以及根据特定客户群体定制或调整基于技术的信息的潜力，这是积极的好处。技术使用也出现了明显的障碍，特别是在隐私、数据安全以及在讨论敏感问题（例如非法药物使用）时需要维护客户信任方面。
技术有潜力提供始终如一的高质量健康沟通，并与可能无法获得其他护理的客户保持联系。如果设计和管理得当，技术还可以解决由于 COVID-19 社交距离措施限制身体接触而在提供服务时出现的问题。
