Perceived healthcare stigma among patients in opioid substitution treatment: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

People with substance use disorders (SUD) including patients in opioid substitution treatment (OST) are subject to stigma, and have generally poor health and barriers towards seeking healthcare. Experience of stigma might negatively affect healthcare seeking, but this topic is sparsely investigated. The aim of this study was to explore OST patients' past and present experiences of substance use stigma in healthcare settings, in order to provide insight into the challenges that people with opioid use disorder may face when using health services, and the strategies they use to cope with them.

Methods

Six focus groups with 23 OST patients were moderated by OST staff, and conducted with a questioning route focusing on health literacy. Experiences associated with stigm

SUBMITTER: Garpenhag L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8549326 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature