A recent study published in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine researched how to increase the involvement of emergency department (ER) doctors and nurses in research amid two significant health crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid overdose epidemic. The study focused on an initiative called Evaluating Microdosing in the Emergency Department (EMED), which attempted to assist patients with opioid addiction by providing them with life-saving medication called buprenorphine/naloxone. The problem was convincing busy ER staff to refer patients to the research, especially during these hectic times.

Grinspoon, P. (2018, March 20). 5 myths about using Suboxone to treat opiate addiction – Harvard Health Blog. Harvard Health Blog. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-myths-about-using-suboxone-to-treat-opiate-addiction-2018032014496
The Problem:
ERs are extremely busy places, and during the COVID-19 pandemic and opioid crisis, workers were stretched to their limits. This made it difficult for individuals to engage in scientific trials that could save lives. The EMED study required ER physicians to refer patients who might benefit from the medicine; however, referrals had reduced by 63% after four months. The research team required a method to re-engage caregivers without increasing their workload.
The Solution:
The team used a quality improvement (QI) approach called Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to test and refine strategies to boost provider engagement. They introduced two key initiatives:
- Coffee Carts: These were quick, 5-minute educational sessions held during ER shifts. The research team brought coffee and snacks to the ER and used the time to explain the study, answer questions, and encourage staff to refer patients. The sessions were designed to be short and convenient, so they didn’t disrupt patient care.
- Suboxone Champions: This program recruited ER staff who were particularly interested in helping patients with opioid addiction. These “champions” received extra training on buprenorphine/naloxone and became peer educators, spreading the word about the study to their colleagues. They also helped with harm reduction efforts, like distributing naloxone kits and sterile drug-use supplies.
The Results:
The initiatives worked! Over two PDSA cycles, the team saw a significant increase in referrals:
– First Cycle (Coffee Carts): Referrals increased by 14.5%
– Second Cycle (Coffee Carts + Suboxone Champions): Referrals jumped by 49% compared to the baseline

Hussey, A., Pozsgay, K., Crawford, C. M. L., Wang, Y. E., Lau, A., Kestler, A., & Moe, J. (2024). Using quality improvement approaches to increase emergency department provider engagement in research participant enrollment during COVID-19 and opioid overdose public health emergencies. Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 26(5), 349–358. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43678-024-00691-7
The Suboxone Champions program, in particular, made a big difference. By empowering staff to become advocates for the study, the team created a culture of engagement and support. The Coffee Carts also helped by providing quick, accessible education without taking up too much of the staff’s time.
Why It Matters:
This study shows that even small, low-effort strategies can make a big difference in getting ER staff involved in research, even during challenging times. By focusing on education, peer support, and minimizing disruption to patient care, the team was able to increase referrals and help more patients access life-saving treatment.
This study highlights the importance of finding creative, low-barrier ways to engage healthcare providers in research, especially during public health emergencies. By doing so, we can ensure that more patients receive the care they need, even in the busiest and most challenging environments.
Boosting ER Staff Involvement in Research During Crises: Coffee Carts and Champions Make a Difference
Proudly powered by WordPress