The novel approach recruits champions from both clinical and nonclinical departments to immerse themselves in interactive learning scenarios that explain the science of addiction and impact of stigma on efforts to guide people with SUD into recovery .
The broader project includes the development of an e-learning system tailored to the unique experiences of the local healthcare community , engagement with individuals across specialties in two local hospitals participating in the e-learning system , and the peerto-peer influence of positive language about and interaction with individuals with substance use disorder .
“ It ’ s important for everyone to understand the science of addiction and language of recovery ,” said Crystal Welch , lead project coordinator for Quality Insights . “ Research shows that by focusing on simple language changes , such as using the terms ‘ a person with substance use disorder ’ versus ‘ addict ’ and ‘ infants exposed to substances before birth ’ versus ‘ born addicted ’ or ‘ drug baby ,’ we can help de-stigmatize addiction and help people understand that it is a treatable disease .”
A 2019 anonymous survey identified those within the healthcare system among those highest in holding stigmatizing beliefs and attitudes . Stigma can impact the quality of clinical care for people with SUD , so training leaders talk about how healthcare providers may hold negative beliefs and how they can take steps to address and reduce stigma in the healthcare setting while simultaneously equipping them with tools and methods to help reduce compassion fatigue .
By addressing stigma in the healthcare setting , a difference can be made for those with SUD by reminding both bystanders and colleagues in healthcare about the humanity of the disease . People often focus on the before picture and not the after picture . Having an awareness of stigma with SUD and moving to humanize the disease of addiction brings an awareness that addiction is treatable . When SUD is efficiently and fully addressed , it reduces immediate and future burden on the healthcare system and the frontline workers within it .
The team presented its model for Targeting Substance Use Disorder Stigma in the Healthcare Setting at the 2021 Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit , a national conference with more than 3,500 participants and a keynote presentation from President Joe Biden , held virtually April 5-8 . This is the second consecutive year that the Marshall and Quality Insights partnership highlighted local successes at the summit .
The e-learning system will be offered to local employees across St . Mary ’ s Medical Center and CHH by incorporating it into existing hospital-wide efforts that address SUD , such as Project Engage efforts . Project Engage is a joint effort established in 2017 between CHH and St . Mary ’ s Medical Center to unify policies and protocols to increase likelihood that patients with SUD will be prepared for and choose long-term treatment upon discharge .
The partnership between the medical school ’ s division of addiction sciences and Quality Insights was established as part of a four-year , $ 1 million donation of in-kind services by Quality Insights to help the Huntington-based Healthy Connections coalition , a group of more than 20 local agencies that helps pregnant women , mothers , and families navigate SUD treatment resources in Cabell County .
Marshall University researcher receives $ 400K NIH grant to study nervous system development
W . Christopher Risher , PhD , an assistant professor of biomedical sciences at the Marshall University Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine , was recently awarded a $ 399,600 grant from the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) for his research on the differences in brain development between males and females . This line of research is critical for the development of novel , targeted therapies for individuals with neuropsychiatric developmental disorders , such as autism and schizophrenia , that are known to present with significant sex differences , Risher said .
This three-year NIH Research Enhancement Award ( R15 ), designed to support small-scale research projects that strengthen the research environment of the institution , will identify sex-dependent interactions between developing brain cells , including neurons and astrocytes , in order to determine how synaptic networks are formed in male and female brains .
The research seeks to uncover novel roles of sex and sex hormones in the fundamental process of brain development . Risher and his team will use whole brains as well as isolated neurons and astrocytes from mice and rats of both sexes to identify differences in how these cells form the connections that serve as the basis for the ability to learn , remember , and perform simple and complex movements .
“ Our innovative approach will determine how sex differences affect interactions between neurons and astrocytes and ultimately explain how these changes result in differential rates of synapse formation , maturation , and function between sexes ,” Risher said . “ This work should provide key insights into critical developmental processes underlying neurological dysfunction and thus inform future strategies for the identification , prevention , and treatment of neurodevelopmental disease .”
This R15 grant includes funding for several members of Risher ’ s research group , which is primarily student led . School of medicine faculty members Nalini Santanam , PhD , and Brandon Henderson , PhD , will serve as collaborators . The grant was issued by the National Institute of Mental Health , a division of the NIH , under award number 1R15MH126345-01 .
Image : W . Christopher Risher , PhD
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