Dr Lori Regenstreif, Dr Aman Haji, Dr J Stryder Zobell
Panel 10 – Healthcare Stream –Serving Vulnerable Populations
September 25th Day Three – Macleod Hall C & D South Building 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
The Low Barrier Urgency Access Team for the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program
Dr J. Stryder ZobellHaji
Session Description
Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) is well-documented in preventing overdose death and other forms of mortality in individuals suffering from opioid use disorder. However, barriers to care, including limited access are a consistent concern.
The Low Barrier Urgency Access Team (LBUA) provides ongoing OAT to individuals despite significant barriers including, but not limited to, unsheltered/unhoused, incarceration, mental health illnesses, and transportation difficulties. These patients continue to receive ongoing, life-saving treatment in a setting where their personal barriers may have excluded them from continuing with medical care.
Learning Objectives
- Be able to understand differing barriers that patients confront on a day-to-day basis.
- Understand how programs can remove barriers to care and the benefits thereof.
- Understand that treatment programs can be tailored despite OAT choices or existing barriers.
References
- Santo T, Clark B, Hickman M, et al. Association of Opioid Agonist Treatment With All-Cause Mortality and Specific Causes of Death Among People With Opioid Dependence: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2021;78(9):979–993. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.0976
- Sordo L, Barrio G, Bravo M J, Indave B I, Degenhardt L, Wiessing L et al. Mortality risk during and after opioid substitution treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies BMJ 2017; 357 :j1550 doi:10.1136/bmj.j1550
- Taylor EN, Timko C, Binswanger IA, Harris AHS, Stimmel M, Smelson D, Finlay AK. A national survey of barriers and facilitators to medications for opioid use disorder among legal-involved veterans in the Veterans Health Administration. Subst Abus. 2022;43(1):556-563. doi: 10.1080/08897077.2021.1975867. Epub 2021 Sep 29. PMID: 34586978; PMCID: PMC9423124.
Bio
Dr Aman B. Haji is a primary care and addiction medicine physician who practices in Alberta and British Columbia, and he is a Clinical Assistant Professor at both the University of Calgary and the University of British Columbia. He has worked in a wide range of settings to support people with addictions including treatment centers, correctional facilities, and outpatient addiction/OAT clinics. Dr Haji has also served in leadership positions in the First Nations Health Authority, Fraser Health Authority, and Alberta Health Services/Recovery Alberta where he is currently the medical co-lead for the Virtual Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (V-RAAM) program.
Other Panel Members
Join us for the Alberta Recovery Summit, hosted by the 9th Annual Recovery Capital Conference taking place on September 23rd, 24th, and 25th, 2025.
Session Streams
- Health Care and Recovery
- Indigenous Health
- Occupational Health and Safety
Key Details
- DAY ONE September 23rd – 5:30 pm 6:30: Early Badge Pick Up and Networking Reception, 6:30 pm to 8 pm Pre Conference Presentation
- DAY TWO September 24th – 8:45 am to 5 pm: Keynote Speakers and Breakout Sessions
- DAY THREE September 25th – 9 am to 5 pm: Keynote Speakers and Breakout Sessions
Hotels
Book your hotel at one of our host hotels and save money. Click on the links for the discount rates and book early as rates will go up, and they always sell out.
- HOST HOTEL MARRIOTT << click here
- HOST HOTEL SANDMAN CALGARY << click here
- HOST HOTEL HYATT REGENCY << click here
Schedule
- Click to view the full schedule
- Day One / Day Two / Day Three Schedule
Speakers
- SPEAKERS LIST Click here for a full description of presentations
Registration
