Efficacy of training delivered to health professions to tackle stigma and discrimination of consumers of Opioid treatments

A study on the lived experiences of consumers of Medically Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependence (MATOD) identified that education and training of allied health professionals, including Pharmacists, Pharmacy Assistants (PAs) and Pharmacy Dispensary Technicians (PDTs) was required to tackle stigma and discrimination. Using Social Determinants of Health (SDH), professional training modules were developed for Pharmacists, PAs and PDTs. This presentation reports on the design, delivery and efficacy of the training modules on professional practice.

Training influenced by SDH concepts and reflective practice can positively impact professional attitudes and practices in the context of MATOD service delivery. Also, it can realign the current focus from “consumers on treatments for opioid dependence” to the “social construction of opioid dependence” which emphasises the impacts of language use, stigma, social attitudes and behaviour.

Presenters

Tejaswini Patil, Senior Lecturer, Monash University

Dr. Patil is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University. She has published peer-reviewed articles that explore lived experiences of MATOD consumers living in regional/rural areas and the use of reflective practice to tackle stigma and discrimination in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector among allied health professionals.

 

Credited Authors

Dr. Jane Mummery Adjunct Senior Research Fellow Federation University Australia

 

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