Healthcare engagement following release from prison: A prospective cohort study of men with histories of injecting drug use

A range of potential research projects are available that focus on health and social outcomes of men recently released from prisons with histories of injecting drug use. The Prison and Transition Health (PATH) Study is a prospective cohort study of men released from prison who reported histories of injecting drug use prior to their index incarceration. The study involved recruitment in-prison, with three possible points of follow-up: at 3, 12, and 24 months following release. Follow-up interviews occurred either in community or in prison.

The behavioural interviews canvassed a range of topics including sociodemographic, social supports, drug use, mental and physical health and criminal justice domains.

The study also involves extensive data linkage with numerous administrative datasets, including hospital admissions, emergency department presentations, statewide public mental health contacts, drug and alcohol treatment contacts, mortality, contacts with police, corrections data and Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Quantitative or mixed-methods studies are available, with key research questions including but not limited to:

• characterising patterns of healthcare utilisation following release from prison and their impact on health outcomes
• investigating the antecedent and sequelae or clustered emergency department presentations
• examining patterns of police contact and health outcomes
• understanding the continuity of healthcare from prison to community with a focus on prison discharge summaries.

Methodological approach: Baseline and prospective quantitative primary and secondary data is available for statistical analyses, with opportunities for students to collect additional qualitative data and undertake mixed-methods research.

Students will also have the opportunity to work alongside Burnet Institute field research staff and participate in the collection of research data from community recruited people who inject drugs. An interest in public health research is required.