Addressing Stigma and Biases in Patient Care for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders
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Authors
Fraley, Caroline Annette
Issue Date
2025
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Description/Abstract
Background: Substance use disorders present significant challenges for individuals suffering from this disease, as well as for healthcare providers and systems. More than 30 million people in the world have substance use disorders but less than 15% receive any treatment (United Nations, 2019). Those who go untreated negatively impact the U.S. economy by almost $700 billion each year related to job loss, crime, and health care (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020). Research has shown that health care providers have difficulty dismissing their negative judgments and allow biases to impact the care they provide to patients with substance use (Ashford et al., 2018b). Purpose: The purpose of this project is to evaluate the impact an awareness intervention related to stigma in the care of patients with substance use disorders has on the attitudes of nurses and care provided. Methods: A focused intervention related to the impact of stigma and biases on the care of patients with substance use was provided to practicing nurses within a RN to BSN program. A pre- and post-intervention survey using the Medical Condition Regard Scale (MCRS) was completed by participants to determine if their attitudes changed. Self-reflections were written by nurses related to their experience caring for this population. Results: Statistical analysis of the pre- and post- survey statements revealed no statistically significant differences although some level of improvement was seen in most components of the post-MCRS survey. Thematic analysis of reflection responses showed neutral or positive results. Conclusion: Data analysis failed to show statistical significance; however post intervention scores improved in 72.7% of the survey responses indicating a positive change in nurses’ perceptions related to caring for patients with substance use disorders.