Overview

The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) was awarded a Eugene Washington Patient Engagement Grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Titled "Confronting the Overdose Epidemic by Engaging Patients to Improve Medical Toxicology Research," this project aimed to develop a connection between patients and medical toxicology researchers to advance patient-centered outcomes research on intentional overdoses. The award offered a series of virtual activities that brought together patients who have personally experienced intentional overdoses and welcomed participation from all medical toxicology researchers.

Completed Project Activities

  1. October 11, 2023: Town Hall Research Training, Pt 1
  2. October 13, 2023: Town Hall Research Training, Pt 2
  3. October 26, 2023: Interactive Session 1
  4. November 29, 2023: Interactive Session 2
  5. January 31, 2024: Follow-Up Meeting

About the Project

Spanning five activities, this project kicked off in Fall 2023 when medical toxicology researchers embarked on a comprehensive two-part Town Hall Research Training led by the Patient Engagement Studio, which equipped them with the skills to effectively engage patients in research development, design, and dissemination. Interactive Sessions 1 & 2 will convened patients, stakeholders, and interested medical toxicology researchers. During these sessions, research priorities for medical toxicology research on intentional overdoses were established, followed by the development of an engagement strategy guide for medical toxicology researchers. The final culmination of this groundbreaking project took place on January 31, 2024 with a Follow-Up Meeting, which served as a platform to discuss the future of intentional overdose research in the field of medical toxicology. With a particular focus on strategies for sustainability, this session delved into the crucial aspect of maintaining patient engagement throughout the entire research process. 

Project Goals

This award underscores ACMT's unwavering commitment to patient engagement and our dedication to enhancing the field of medical toxicology through collaborative research initiatives. Through collective efforts, ACMT and the project participants aim to create a lasting impact on intentional overdose research, ultimately leading to improved patient-centered outcomes and a brighter future for those affected by this critical public health issue.