Development of a Technology-Based, Interactive Intervention to Reduce Substance Use Disorder Stigma Among Medical Students

High levels of stigma among the healthcare workforce impede efforts to increase access to effective substance use disorder (SUD) treatments. Education on SUDs that (1) is tailored to physicians in training and (2) directly addresses and attempts to combat SUD stigma may help produce lasting reductio...

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Main Authors: Angela Caldwell, Cerelia Donald, Gabrielle Simcoe, Lillia Thumma, Amber R. Green, Alison J. Patev, Kristina B. Hood, Madison M. Marcus, Caitlin E. Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:International Medical Education
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2813-141X/4/2/15
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author Angela Caldwell
Cerelia Donald
Gabrielle Simcoe
Lillia Thumma
Amber R. Green
Alison J. Patev
Kristina B. Hood
Madison M. Marcus
Caitlin E. Martin
author_facet Angela Caldwell
Cerelia Donald
Gabrielle Simcoe
Lillia Thumma
Amber R. Green
Alison J. Patev
Kristina B. Hood
Madison M. Marcus
Caitlin E. Martin
author_sort Angela Caldwell
collection DOAJ
description High levels of stigma among the healthcare workforce impede efforts to increase access to effective substance use disorder (SUD) treatments. Education on SUDs that (1) is tailored to physicians in training and (2) directly addresses and attempts to combat SUD stigma may help produce lasting reductions in SUD stigmatization within the healthcare setting. This study aims to describe the development of a technology-based, interactive SUD stigma intervention for medical students, created in collaboration with medical students, practicing clinicians, and experts in the fields of psychology and addiction medicine. This intervention is unique in its interactive application-based approach and the use of a computerized intervention authorizing system (CIAS) to guide the participant through the training. The final intervention includes four interactive online modules focused on SUD education using a biopsychosocial model, including stigma acknowledgment, an examination of patient perspectives, and the application of skills. Planned future studies will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the intervention among medical students. This intervention leverages the existing CIAS to provide interactive training that can be used as a part of medical student training and be expanded to other healthcare professionals (e.g., nurses and community health workers). Ultimately, this work will be used to drive a reduction in SUD stigma in medical settings.
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spelling doaj-art-b6814b181eb9422db0808ab5aa8e5e712025-08-20T02:21:10ZengMDPI AGInternational Medical Education2813-141X2025-05-01421510.3390/ime4020015Development of a Technology-Based, Interactive Intervention to Reduce Substance Use Disorder Stigma Among Medical StudentsAngela Caldwell0Cerelia Donald1Gabrielle Simcoe2Lillia Thumma3Amber R. Green4Alison J. Patev5Kristina B. Hood6Madison M. Marcus7Caitlin E. Martin8School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USASchool of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USASchool of Medicine, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USADepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USADepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USACollege of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USACollege of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USAInstitute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USASchool of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USAHigh levels of stigma among the healthcare workforce impede efforts to increase access to effective substance use disorder (SUD) treatments. Education on SUDs that (1) is tailored to physicians in training and (2) directly addresses and attempts to combat SUD stigma may help produce lasting reductions in SUD stigmatization within the healthcare setting. This study aims to describe the development of a technology-based, interactive SUD stigma intervention for medical students, created in collaboration with medical students, practicing clinicians, and experts in the fields of psychology and addiction medicine. This intervention is unique in its interactive application-based approach and the use of a computerized intervention authorizing system (CIAS) to guide the participant through the training. The final intervention includes four interactive online modules focused on SUD education using a biopsychosocial model, including stigma acknowledgment, an examination of patient perspectives, and the application of skills. Planned future studies will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the intervention among medical students. This intervention leverages the existing CIAS to provide interactive training that can be used as a part of medical student training and be expanded to other healthcare professionals (e.g., nurses and community health workers). Ultimately, this work will be used to drive a reduction in SUD stigma in medical settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-141X/4/2/15substance use disorderstigmacurriculuminterventionbiopsychosocial modelweb-based learning
spellingShingle Angela Caldwell
Cerelia Donald
Gabrielle Simcoe
Lillia Thumma
Amber R. Green
Alison J. Patev
Kristina B. Hood
Madison M. Marcus
Caitlin E. Martin
Development of a Technology-Based, Interactive Intervention to Reduce Substance Use Disorder Stigma Among Medical Students
International Medical Education
substance use disorder
stigma
curriculum
intervention
biopsychosocial model
web-based learning
title Development of a Technology-Based, Interactive Intervention to Reduce Substance Use Disorder Stigma Among Medical Students
title_full Development of a Technology-Based, Interactive Intervention to Reduce Substance Use Disorder Stigma Among Medical Students
title_fullStr Development of a Technology-Based, Interactive Intervention to Reduce Substance Use Disorder Stigma Among Medical Students
title_full_unstemmed Development of a Technology-Based, Interactive Intervention to Reduce Substance Use Disorder Stigma Among Medical Students
title_short Development of a Technology-Based, Interactive Intervention to Reduce Substance Use Disorder Stigma Among Medical Students
title_sort development of a technology based interactive intervention to reduce substance use disorder stigma among medical students
topic substance use disorder
stigma
curriculum
intervention
biopsychosocial model
web-based learning
url https://www.mdpi.com/2813-141X/4/2/15
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