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Background Drug alerts designed for health workforces have potential to avert the acute harms associated with unpredictable illicit drug markets, by preparing workers to respond to unusual drug-related events and distribute information to service users. However, the design of such alerts is complicated by the socio-political contexts in which they operate. Here, we discuss the tensions that arose through the process of co-designing drug alert templates with healthcare workers. Methods We conducted four in-depth digital co-design workshops with 31 workers employed in alcohol and other drug and urgent care settings. Our approach to analysis was informed by Iterative Categorisation and reflexive thematic analysis. Results We identified five key tensions. First, there is a need to provide comprehensive information to meet the information needs of a diverse group of workers with varying knowledge levels, while also designing alerts to be clear, concise and relevant to the work of individuals. Second, it is important that alerts do not create ‘information overload’, however it is also important that information should be available to those who want it. Third, alert design and dissemination must be perceived to be credible, to avoid ‘alert scepticism’, however credibility is challenging to develop in a broader context of criminalisation, stigmatisation, and sensationalism. Fourth, alerts must be carefully designed to achieve ‘intended effects’ and avoid unintended effects, while acknowledging that it is impossible to control all potential effects. Finally, while alerts may be intended for an audience of healthcare workers, people who use drugs are the end-user and must be kept front of mind in the design process. Conclusions The co-design process revealed complexities in designing drug alerts, particularly in the context of stigmatised illicit drug use, workforce diversity, and dissemination strategies. This study has highlighted the value of developing these important risk communication tools with their target audiences to ensure that they are relevant, useful, and impactful. The findings have informed the development of our drug alert prototypes and provide local context to complement existing best-practice risk-communications literature. |
