Academic Level UXR

Project Overview

TxCOPE, or Texans Connecting Overdose Prevention Efforts, is a set of tools built for communities to improve overdose response and prevention efforts. The mission is to save lives through empowering the community with near real-time data to inform overdose prevention and response efforts.

The research that I conducted for this stage of the project is deeply seated in collaborating with community stakeholders to achieve two goals:

Exploration: Understand the landscape of statewide data as it relates to substance use, overdose, and harm reduction outreach efforts.
Validation: Validate research efforts and product development through use of community advisory boards and co-design processes.

"Informed by the community, for the community"

Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Setup

Secondary Research

I started the project by completing secondary research of available overdose data in Texas.
I completed a nationwide comparative evaluation of overdose data dashboards available in every state.
I then completed value propositions to figure out who might need our product and why.

Interviews

Four pilot sites were chosen statewide and I interviewed 50+ stakeholders (both remote & in-person).
Interviews lasted approx. 90 minutes and probed at what data was currently missing and what tools could be of use to users.
Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed.
I thematically coded 60+ interviews and relayed recurring themes to team.

Shadowing/Ride Alongs

To better understand how data was being collected by stakeholders (Paramedics, Fire Dept., Harm Reductionists, ER Staff) I went on ride alongs to shadow their processes.
I timed workflows, created process maps, and wrote up debriefs (see examples below).
I also created and used informal discussion guides to collect more information from staff through out each shift.

Community Advisory Board (CAB) Feedback

At our four pilot sites we searched through stakeholders to find champions that would participate in our CABs.
Each CAB convened monthly via Zoom to receive updates on our work and provide feedback on next steps.
Preliminary wireframes built from our research were tested for feedback during these meetings until we had a full prototype to roll out.

Interviews, Ride Alongs, and CAB Feedback were held in a loop until a full prototype was ready to be piloted.

Key Insights

Status of Overdose/Substance Use Data in Texas:
- In comparison to other states, Texas has a severe lack in overdose data.
- Data from the state department is three years behind and there are only 13 medical examiners for the entire state who can declare if a death was an overdose.
- Many people who use drugs do not call 9-1-1 during an overdose, so many data are unreported.
What Tools Users Need:
- Harm reductionists at all pilot sites (10 organizations across 4 counties) need help with keeping track of overdose data digitally.
- Organizations also need a method to keep track of supply distribution to prove community impact.
- All stakeholders desire real time heat maps.

Examples of Process Science From This Project

Ex 1: Syringe Exchange Van Process Map

Ex 2: Process Observation Timing Template

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