Perceived stigma, barriers, and facilitators experienced by members of the opioid use disorder community when seeking healthcare.

Introduction: Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, have negative attitudes towards individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) and these attitudes can contribute to suboptimal care. The aim of this study was to identify stigma, barriers and facilitators experienced by members of the OUD community when interacting with the healthcare system.

Design: A qualitative exploratory design used semi-structured focus group interviews to address the study aim.

Methods: Following IRB approval, purposive sampling was used to recruit participants with a history of OUD, family caregivers of individuals with OUD, and support group leaders from regional recovery groups to provide a broad perspective of stigmatizing issues and barriers to care. Focus group discussions were conducted, and video recorded using web-based conferencing software. Transcripts from the focus groups and field notes were analyzed and coded into themes.

Results: Both structural and social determinants of health were identified by participants as stigmatizing and/or barriers to care. Thematic content analysis resulted in eight themes: stigmatizing language, being labeled, inequitable care, OUD as a chronic illness, insurance barriers, stigma associated with medications for OUD (MOUD), community resources, and nursing knowledge and care.

Conclusion: Members of the OUD community are challenged by both internal and external stigma when seeking healthcare. Stigma negatively affects public support for allocation of resources to treat OUD. Interventions aimed at reducing stigma are critical to support effective OUD treatment and prevent barriers to OUD care.

Clinical Relevance: Understanding the complex relationships between stigma and structural determinants of health will allow nursing science to develop educational interventions that provide the next generation of nurses with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to advance health equity for individuals with OUD.