Using community engagement to implement evidence-based practices for opioid use disorder: A data-driven paradigm &...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Systems Science

Background:

• Community engagement (CE) is crucial for the adoption and sustainability of evidence-based practices (EBPs) to combat opioid use disorder (OUD).
• Traditional approaches to EBP implementation are often top-down and lack community involvement.
• Existing CE methods rarely integrate systems science to incorporate community resources, values, and priorities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel community engagement paradigm leveraging data-driven and systems science approaches.
• To outline the composition, functions, and roles of researchers within this CE framework.
• To discuss ethical considerations unique to community engagement research in public health.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a data-driven and systems science approach to develop a novel community engagement paradigm.
• Describing the structure and roles of researchers in facilitating community engagement.
• Applying systems science principles to identify and select EBPs that align with community needs and priorities.

Main Results:

• The proposed paradigm offers a structured method for integrating community resources, values, and priorities into EBP selection and implementation.
• Researchers' roles in CE are defined to foster collaboration and ensure ethical conduct.
• Systems science and data-driven approaches can guide the selection of EBPs for comprehensive community needs assessment.

Conclusions:

• A data-driven, systems science-informed CE approach is essential for equitable and sustainable access to EBPs like medications for OUD (MOUD).
• Increased investment in CE research is recommended to address the opioid epidemic and reduce health inequities.
• This paradigm has the potential to significantly reduce opioid overdose rates and improve health outcomes in affected communities.