Live Presentation
Speak with Devaki Paalenthera about her practicum on January 31st from 4:45-5:15pm via this .
Video Presentation
View Devaki Paalenthera's poster presentation in this video recording:聽
Abstract
Objective: The objective of the evaluation is to describe the apparent opioid toxicity death (AOTD) surveillance system and to assess whether the system satisfies the chosen attributes.聽
Methods: The evaluation focused on describing the surveillance system, and assessing the attributes of simplicity, acceptability, stability, and usefulness.聽 Simplified assessments for timeliness and positive predictive value were also conducted. Three methods were employed: stakeholder survey responses, interviews with the Substance-related Overdose and Mortality Surveillance Task Group (SOMS-TG) Secretariat, and review of existing surveillance documentation.聽聽聽
Results: Half of the survey respondents stated that a moderate to significant amount of effort was required to manipulate the data to prepare for each quarterly submission. The Chief Coroners and Chief Medical Examiners, PHAC Public Health Officers, other data providers, SOMS-TG Secretariat and other stakeholders involved in the approval processes are critical elements of the surveillance system. Survey respondents felt that the surveillance system is satisfying its purposes and achieving its objectives and intended actions. Survey respondents also expressed that the quarterly data releases help contextualize the opioid crisis in Canada and serve as a reliable source of evidence for stakeholders to facilitate public health action. Some respondents indicated that more timely information would provide a more current understanding of the crisis, which would help jurisdiction take preventative measures.聽
Discussion and Recommendations: Results from the evaluation indicate that the AOTD surveillance system is acceptable, stable, and useful. To improve the simplicity and timeliness of the system, PHAC should consider working with provinces and territories with manual in-person data collection processes to explore transition to electronic methods where possible. Additionally, transitioning to record-level data collection from aggregate-level data collection can increase the acceptability of the system to its participants. Lastly, dissemination methods that are geared towards the general public could increase the usefulness of the AOTD surveillance system by reaching a greater proportion of its intended audiences.聽