The power of patient voice: Addressing provider stigma toward opioid use disorder through personal narrative

Primary care providers are uniquely positioned to address the opioid epidemic, from screening for opioid use disorder (OUD), to delivering harm-reduction interventions and providing evidence-based treatment. However, many providers harbor negative and stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs towards patients with OUD and other substance use disorders. This stigmatization deters individuals from seeking treatment and leads to substandard care. This week, STASH reviews a study by Jeffrey Schlaudecker and colleagues that examined if hearing personal narratives directly from individuals in active recovery positively impacts primary care provider attitudes and beliefs about persons with OUD.