Hadi Daneshvar
Dr. Hadi Daneshvar is a Lecturer in Clinical Health Technologies in the School of Health and Social Care at Edinburgh Napier University and a member of the Healthcare Technology Research Group. He has delivered lectures, tutorials, and workshops to postgraduate students, researchers, and clinicians.
Hadi received a PhD in Health Informatics from the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh. Additionally, his background includes Business Information Technology (MSc), Information Systems (BSc), and Software Engineering. Before joining Edinburgh Napier University, he was a Research Fellow in the Faculty of Social Science at the University of Stirling and a postdoctoral research assistant at the University of Dundee. His research at the University of Stirling focused on the delivery of technology to prevent overdose deaths in Scotland, leading various projects in this area.
Hadi's research interests lie in the field of health informatics, with a particular focus on developing and evaluating new technologies (particularly in drug overdose prevention), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Systems, Co-production, Digital Health Interventions, and social media in health and care. Additionally, he has experience in research on Socio-Technical Systems, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and Knowledge Management in digital/online environments for collaborative work purposes.
Session
The global healthcare landscape has been significantly transformed by digital technologies, leading to the development and implementation of numerous devices and systems worldwide, including in the UK. However, the adoption of digital solutions in substance use and harm reduction has not progressed at the same pace. Scotland, which has the highest drug-related death rate in Europe, recorded 1,172 drug-related deaths in 2023 (a 12% increase on the previous year), underscoring the critical need for effective interventions.
Digital technologies have shown significant potential in reducing overdose deaths and improving care for individuals who use drugs. For example, the Brave mobile application, developed in North America, provides remote, non-judgmental supervision and support for individuals using drugs alone. This application was piloted in Aberdeen under the name Here4U Scotland. Funded by Scotland's Digital Lifelines program, this initiative aimed to offer virtual supervised consumption as an alternative approach to addressing rising drug-related deaths.
Despite the promise of such technologies, their implementation in Scotland faces challenges due to social and political factors. Barriers include digital inclusion issues, limited user engagement, and the integration of these technologies into existing healthcare frameworks. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for the successful deployment of digital harm reduction tools.
In this paper, we will explore various digital harm reduction projects and examine the opportunities and obstacles associated with digital transformation in this field. By analysing initiatives such as the Here4U Scotland app and others, we aim to provide insights into how digital technologies can be effectively leveraged to address Scotland’s substance use crisis. Furthermore, the findings from these initiatives have the potential to inform the adoption of digital harm reduction tools in other countries, especially those facing similar public health challenges. By understanding Scotland’s experiences, lessons can be drawn to support global efforts in using technology to address substance use issues, improve access to care, and reduce stigma. This exploration also highlights the potential for digital solutions to drive international collaboration and innovation in harm reduction strategies.