Presented by the Atlantic Mentorship Network-Pain & Addiction in collaboration with Doctors Nova Scotia, this workshop is targeted to physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, social workers, community outreach workers, addiction counselors, students, and medical residents who are interested in gaining improved comfort and skill in providing harm reduction focused care.
Workshop Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants should be able to:
- Develop a harm reduction community of practice that is supportive through learning and mentorship.
- Understand the importance of collaboration with people with lived and living experience and learning to practice humility to destigmatize care.
- Learn about local resources and how to access them
- Learn what evidence currently exists in harm reduction
- Explore the existing barriers and areas of advocacy
Learning Objectives
8:15am – 9:00am | Registration
9:00am – 9:15am | Opening Remarks
9:15am – 10:15am | Harm Reduction 101
Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, participants will:
- Define harm reduction
- Understand the basic principles of harm reduction
- Understand the importance of collaboration with people with lived and living experience and learning to practice humility to destigmatize care
Presenters
- Dr. Mike Gniewek
- Dr. Leah Genge
- Landon Morton “Morty” (person with living experience)
10:15am – 10:30am | Break
10:30am – 11:00am | Nova Scotia Resources
Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, participants will:
- Understand the various harm reduction supplies, community resources, and how to access them.
Presenters
- Dr. Mike Gniewek
- Dr. Leah Genge
- Landon Morton “Morty” (person with living experience)
11:00am – 12:00pm | Integrating Harm Reduction into Practice
Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, participants will:Understand key harm reduction strategies
- Identify the existing barriers and stigma around harm reduction
- Identify the supports required to implement harm reduction-focused care into practice
- Learn examples of integrated harm reduction
Presenters
- Dr. Tommy Brothers
- Dr. Mike Gniewek
- Dr. Leah Genge
- Dr. Sam Hickcox
12:00pm – 1:00pm | Lunch
1:00pm – 2:00pm | What is Safer Supply? Reviewing Core Principles and Current Evidence
Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, participants will:
- Understand what safer supply is and is not
- Learn about different models of safer supply
- Understand the current evidence of the impacts of safer supply programs on client outcomes and health systems
Presenters
- Dr. Mike Gniewek
- Dr. Leah Genge
- Dr. Gillian Kolla
2:00pm – 2:15pm | Break
2:15pm – 3:00pm | Myth Busters
Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, participants will:
- Identify and debunk common myths in harm reduction care
- Learn the importance of practicing humility, and how to recognize and challenge personal beliefs/biases that can negatively impact patient care.
Presenter
- Dr. Tommy Brothers
3:00pm – 4:00pm | Movers and Shakers: Addressing Barriers & Finding Opportunities for Change
Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, participants will be able to :
- Identify existing barriers to implementing harm reduction care
- Identify areas of advocacy in harm reduction care
Presenters
- Caitlyn Sampson, RN – Nova Scotia Health, hospital policy
- Dr. Tiffany O’Donnell – corrections, drug policy, Indigenous health
- Ashton Stephenson – MAP, Safe Supply
- Landon Morton “Morty” – person with living experience
- Dr. Tommy Brothers – barriers of evidence implementation, tertiary care