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Reducing Opioid Bias is Necessary (ROBIN): An Educational Program to Reduce Addiction Stigma
Carrie L Brannock1, Justin White, Jo Ann Baker
1Carrie L. Brannock, DNP, MSN, RN, FNP-C, Justin White, DNP, PMHNP-BC, LCSW, and Jo Ann Baker, DNP, MSN, RN, FNP-C, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
Journal of Addictions Nursing
|March 6, 2020
Summary
The Reducing Opioid Bias is Necessary (ROBIN) program significantly reduced bias and improved empathy toward individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). This educational intervention demonstrated effectiveness in community and healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Public Health
- Medical Education
Background:
- The opioid and heroin epidemic affects millions globally, necessitating investigation into public attitudes towards substance use.
- The Reducing Opioid Bias is Necessary (ROBIN) project aimed to address negative perceptions of individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD).
- The program utilized a mixed-methods approach, including educational materials and personal narratives, to assess its impact on participants' familiarity and attitudes towards OUD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the ROBIN educational program in reducing bias and improving perceptions of individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD).
- To assess changes in familiarity, attitudes, and overall understanding among participants exposed to the ROBIN program.
Main Methods:
- A pretest-posttest design was employed with 21 participants, incorporating quantitative measures (demographics, attitude questionnaires) and qualitative measures (reflective writing, focus groups).
- Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank rho, and paired-sample t tests to analyze quantitative data.
- Qualitative data were analyzed thematically to identify common trends in participants' experiences and perceptions.
Main Results:
- Initial assessment revealed low familiarity and biased attitudes towards people with OUD (Spearman's rho = 0.947).
- A significant decrease in participant bias was observed post-intervention (t(20) = 5.17, p = .00002), with mean scores dropping from 74.86 to 59.33.
- Qualitative data indicated enhanced understanding, empathy, and a desire to promote the educational program among participants.
Conclusions:
- The ROBIN program effectively reduces bias in both community members and healthcare professionals concerning individuals with OUD.
- Future research should address the limitations of this study to further refine and validate the program's impact.