Podcasts as a Method to Deliver Education on Stigma Surrounding Opioid Use Disorder

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Public Health
• Medical Education

Background:

• Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a significant public health challenge.
• Stigma associated with OUD negatively impacts patient care and health outcomes.
• Student pharmacists require effective training to address OUD stigma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a podcast miniseries in mitigating OUD-related stigma among student pharmacists.
• To assess changes in student pharmacists' perceptions and attitudes towards OUD.
• To explore the impact of educational interventions on reducing stigma in healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• A podcast miniseries (five episodes, 10-23 min each) was integrated into the curriculum for second and third-year pharmacy students.
• Podcasts featured interviews with OUD experts and individuals with lived experience, discussed stigma, disease processes, and harm reduction.
• Pre- and post-intervention surveys using Likert scales and free-response questions assessed changes in OUD stigma (n=121).

Main Results:

• Statistically significant decreases in OUD-related stigma were observed across all survey questions post-intervention.
• Paired t-tests confirmed a significant reduction in negative perceptions from baseline.
• Content analysis of free-response data revealed enhanced understanding in areas of care access, empathy, resources, and a call to action.

Conclusions:

• Podcast-based educational interventions are effective tools for reducing stigma associated with opioid use disorder among student pharmacists.
• This approach can foster increased compassion and improve future healthcare delivery for patients with OUD.
• Integrating multimedia resources into pharmacy education can positively influence attitudes towards complex health conditions.