Nursing Attitudes Towards SUD

The proposed research is a pre-/post-survey, qualitative study of substance use disorder-related stigma among nurses and a sustained, "bundled" intervention to reduce this stigma. The objectives of the study are to:

1. Measure existing substance use disorder (SUD) stigma among nurses at HUP;
2. Evaluate the effects of combined individual and unit-based stigma-reduction interventions; and
3. Adapt and psychometrically analyze a stigma assessment instrument tailored to hospital-based health care providers.

The study team will approach unit-based nursing leadership on target units regarding participation in the (1) unit-based education/awareness activities and (2) individual-based survey and randomized intervention. The study team may meet virtually with unit-based nursing leadership, and/or present the intervention and survey opportunity during unit council meetings per the request of leadership. The study team will send an email to the complete unit nursing listserv. The email from the study team will contain information about the study, contact information, and consent form. Once the ICF has been electronically signed by a participant, the Way to Health platform will generate and send an electronic message to the participant containing a link to the survey.

After 6-months , nurses who completed the ICF \& pre-survey previously will receive electronic prompts from Way to Health to complete the post-survey. The survey will first be made available to pre-survey completers. After 2 weeks, the survey opportunity will be opened to non-enrolled nurses on the participating unit; this will be communicated to the participating unit by the study team via an email to the nursing listserv, which will includeThe email from the study team will contain information about the study, contact information, and consent form. The ICF must be electronically signed by a participant in order for the survey to become available.

Interventions:

1. Unit-based "Person First" Anti-stigma Awareness Rounds The "Person First" Initiative was developed independent of this study by bedside nurses in collaboration with HUP Nursing Executive Leadership. The objective of this initiative is to provide (1) unit-based "huddles" on person-first language as a mechanism to reduce the stigma around substance use; (2) socialize best practices and resources for patients with substance use disorder; and (3) provide overdose reversal training and kits, including Narcan nasal spray, to nurses. The planning and implementation of these activities fall under the purview of Nursing Shared Governance (NOT the research team), and oversight for these activities will be provided by HUP Nursing Executive Leadership (Chief Nursing Executive Colleen Mattioni and Director of Ethics Aliza Narva). The goal of the "Person First" initiative is to engage with every unit at HUP, although level of engagement (e.g. single round vs multiple rounds) will vary by unit capacity and interest, and some units may opt out of these activities.
2. Individual Text-based Messaging Participating nurses will be randomized to (1) receive short text messages that employ evidence-based strategies to reduce stigma towards individuals with substance use disorder, or (2) no messaging. Pre-determined messages will be sent via Way to Health weekly for 6 months to the phone number provided by participants during the consent process. Participants will have the option to stop receiving these messages at any time.