About me
I am a doctoral candidate within the Research School for Health Science (FiH). My background is within public health, epidemiology and anthropology, working with both quantitative and qualitative research methods. I have prior experience with early-stage clinical research in public health indications and have a particular research interest in the misuse of narcotic medications and prevention of negative health outcomes associated with prescription drug misuse and overdose.
Research description
My PhD research project is regarding the early intervention and care for people who misuse opioid analgesics. This research is conducted in collaboration with a diverse team of researchers that focuses on developing and improving the care of persons with addiction. The research project will be conducted in primary health and specialized psychiatric care with the aim of improving the treatment and care of persons with addiction to opioid analgesics. The studies in this project connect the interventions necessary to prevent and treat addiction to opioid analgesics: prevention in primary care, interventions to taper dosage for people addicted to opioid analgesics, and opioid maintenance programs for people with the most severe addictions. One study is a randomized controlled trial in primary health care to promote adherence to current guidelines for pain management through an educational intervention for health professionals followed by feedback on prescription rates. In another study with a prospective cohort design, I will evaluate the outcomes and characteristics of people addicted to opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines receiving tapering in specialized addiction care.
Additionally, a national register study evaluating outcomes for persons with opioid use and a qualitative interview study looking at the experiences of treatment for persons with opioid use disorder are planned.
Education
Master of Medical Science in Public Health Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet.
Bachelor of Arts, major in Anthropology and minors in Public Health Science and Chemistry. Pre-medical track, Wheaton College.