Context: In Longueuil, a city outside of Montreal, Canada, a new clinic opened in 2022 to offer opioid agonist treatment and harm reduction interventions. Like elsewhere in North America, the overdose crisis, and the increasing need for addiction treatment after the pandemic has had considerable consequences on marginalized people. A photovoice method was used in the project to evaluate the implementation of this clinic.
Objective: This publication describes the methodology of the photovoice used with marginalized people who use opioids and discusses it as a innovative and efficient way to involve them in research.
Methods: Four meetings (preparation, photo discussions (2) and results discussion) with the 15 participants. Each participant took 3-5 photos around the research question.
Results and conclusions: Photovoice meetings with marginalized people living with OUD allowed us to better understand their experiences with institutions and conventional care structures. The method stimulated discussions and critical dialogue. It allowed sincere expression on the research question. Challenges faced: 1- Participants did not have cell phones for taking photos; 2-Respecting speaking turns was difficult; 3-Traditional method of verbatim and Nvivo coding was not possible; 4-Participant commitment over the 4 meetings was difficult. Strategies put in place: 1- Involvement of a peer researcher with experiential knowledge to promote participant involvement; 2- Meeting and discussion site in proximity with community organizations; 3- Discussion room layout in circle and serving of beverages and food made it possible to meet basic needs and provide a welcoming atmosphere favoring egalitarian exchanges.
Andrée-Anne Paré-Plante est médecin de famille et professeure agrégée au Département de médecine de famille et d'urgence de l'Université de Sherbrooke.
Elle est la Directrice du microprogramme d'addictologie clinique à l'Université de Sherbrooke.
Elle pratique en médecine générale et en médecine des toxicomanies au GMF-U Charles-LeMoyne, à l'Hôpital Charles-LeMoyne et à la clinique STEP à Longueuil.
Christine Loignon est professeure titulaire à l’Université de Sherbrooke. Elle a une formation multidisciplinaire en sciences sociales (sc. politiques et sociologie) et est détentrice d’un PhD en santé publique. Sociologue de la santé œuvrant en recherche appliquée au système de santé, Christine a mené plusieurs projets de recherche participative et engagée dans la communauté avec des patients et des citoyens marginalisés par la pauvreté ou la littératie et aussi avec plusieurs organisations et professionnels en soins primaires et communautaires de santé. Ses travaux visent à renforcer l’équité en santé et l’équité sociale.