Our Words Matter: A Proposed Study to Examine the Effects of Clinician Language Training on Patient Opioid Abstinence

Stigma in the healthcare system is widely documented. A significant medium through which stigmatizing thoughts, opinions, and attitudes are propagated is language. Stigmatizing language can create barriers to care, while inclusive non-stigmatizing language has the ability to highlight a patient’s strengths, humanity, and potential for recovery. While several institutions have implemented campaigns and interventions aimed at reducing stigma in healthcare, research examining the impact of these interventions is limited. Specifically, no studies have examined the effects of language-focused campaigns on patient outcomes. This paper reviews the current literature on stigma and stigmatizing language in healthcare and proposes a hypothetical study designed to assess the effects of a clinician-facing training that emphasizes the use of non-stigmatizing language on opioid abstinence in patients newly diagnosed with opioid use disorder. Potential limitations in study design and data analysis, along with possible implications of study results, are discussed.

Grantor dc:publisher

Temple University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Richard, Alison

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Jones, Nora L.

• Medical ethics
• Language
• Stigma
• Substance use disorder
• Urban bioethics

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT- This Rights Statement can be used for an Item that is in copyright. Using this statement implies that the organization making this Item available has determined that the Item is in copyright and either is the rights-holder, has obtained permission from the rights-holder(s) to make their Work(s) available, or makes the Item available under an exception or limitation to copyright (including Fair Use) that entitles it to make the Item available.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12613/7707

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarshare.temple.edu:20.500.12613/7707