Ohio State Design Department Chair and Professor Fabienne Munch is a co-author of a newly published article in Substance Use & Misuse examining the real-world usability of fentanyl test strips, a harm reduction tool increasingly used to help individuals assess overdose risk in unregulated drug supplies.

The article, “Usability Testing of Five Fentanyl Test Strip Brands in Real-World Settings,” reports on a comparative study of five commercially available fentanyl test strip brands. Conducted independently by six researchers, the research evaluates how design features, instructions, and user interaction affect accuracy, ease of use, and interpretation of results. Munch contributed expertise in design research and usability analysis, supporting an interdisciplinary team spanning public health and harm reduction practice.

Findings highlight significant variation in clarity, usability, and reliability across products, underscoring how design can influence the effectiveness of health interventions used outside clinical settings. The study emphasizes that usability challenges—such as unclear instructions or ambiguous results—may reduce the protective value of test strips in high-risk contexts.

By foregrounding user experience in harm reduction technologies, the research contributes to broader conversations about the role of design in public health, equity, and risk communication. The article offers evidence-based insights that can inform future product development, public health guidance, and community education efforts aimed at reducing overdose-related harm.

MLA citation:
Childerhose, J. E., Myers, J. V., Dzurec, M. E., Gault, C., Lieberman, M., Stenger, S. G., … Fernandez, S. A. (2025). Usability Testing of Five Fentanyl Test Strip Brands in Real-World Settings. Substance Use & Misuse, 60(7), 1035–1044. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2481321