Harm Reduction and Substance Use in Healthcare

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary goal of harm reduction as defined in public health approaches?

Minimizing the negative impacts of substance use (correct)

Eliminating all substance use among individuals

Encouraging higher consumption of substances in controlled environments

Criminalizing drug use to deter behaviors

Which aspects contribute to the stigma limiting access to healthcare, according to the discussion?

Only individual perspectives and experiences

A combination of individual, interpersonal, systemic, and institutional factors (correct)

Interpersonal relations and institutional policies

Exclusively systemic barriers in healthcare systems

What average number of deaths per day during the opioid crisis was reported in Canada as of early 2023?

21 deaths per day (correct)

35 deaths per day

10 deaths per day

50 deaths per day

How is substance abuse characterized within the harm reduction framework?

As a public health issue rather than a moral failing Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized as an important consideration when addressing the opioid crisis according to recent reports?

The importance of lived experiences of individuals affected Signup and view all the answers

What is a core principle that should be applied in nursing practice when addressing substance use?

Integration of harm reduction strategies Signup and view all the answers

How do personal attitudes influence nursing practice regarding patients with substance use issues?

They may lead to biased treatment and care decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant ethical concern when providing care to individuals dealing with substance use?

Maintaining patient confidentiality while navigating stigma. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes equity-oriented healthcare?

Healthcare that acknowledges and addresses structural inequities affecting patient access. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential impact of stigma on healthcare outcomes for individuals using substances?

It can lead to isolation and avoidance of healthcare services. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT listed as a potential risk of research in the Downtown Eastside?

Lead to positive change Signup and view all the answers

What is a common pitfall of research in the Downtown Eastside as noted in the content?

Being irrelevant to community members if no action is taken Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following potential benefits of research in the Downtown Eastside aids in challenging stigma?

Help create evidence to support important community resources Signup and view all the answers

In the context of potential risks, which factor is specifically mentioned as something that may undermine community initiatives?

Sap resources from communities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a response that does NOT align with the principles of harm reduction in research as discussed?

Focusing on negative outcomes without action Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Harm Reduction & Substance Use

Harm reduction is a public health approach focused on preventing the harms of substance use, not reducing substance use itself.
It's a philosophy and a set of programs and services.
Substance use is viewed as a health issue.
The approach is evidence-based.

Class Objectives

Discuss the application of harm reduction principles in nursing practice.
Explore how personal attitudes and beliefs influence nursing practice when caring for people who use substances or have addiction.
Understand the legal, social, and ethical issues surrounding substance use and their impact on nursing practice.

Equity-Oriented Health Care

Key dimensions of equity-oriented healthcare: trauma and violence-informed care, harm reduction, and cultural safety/anti-racism.
Tailoring care and programs to local contexts, actively countering racism and discrimination, actively seeking input from community partners, tailoring care for inter-related violence forms, enhancing social determinants of health, optimizing use of place and space are part of 10 strategies to enhance ability for equity-oriented services.

Story Time

No specific content.

Stigma and Substance Use

Stigma and substance use can negatively affect healthcare outcomes.

Stigma Pathways to Health Outcomes Model

Drivers of stigma include stereotypes, fear of contagion, historical norms, unequal power dynamics, and lack of awareness.
Types of stigma exist for racialized identities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and age.
Stigma practices include discriminatory policies, harmful stereotypes and behaviours, and social exclusion.
Stigma experiences include enacted stigma, internalization of negative stereotypes, and anticipated stigma.
Outcomes for affected populations include reduced access to care, reliance on coping strategies that can be harmful, risk of violence and injury, and poorer mental and physical health.
Addressing stigma at the individual, interpersonal, systemic, and institutional levels impacts outcomes.

Continuum of Cultural Safety

Stages of cultural safety include trauma-informed care, anti-racism, cultural sensitivity, cultural competence, and cultural humility.
Recognizing historical traumas, avoiding perpetuation of historical power imbalances, reducing power differences, respecting diverse needs, and considering social, political, and historical contexts are part of it.

Opioid Crisis (2023 Jan-Mar)

1,904 total apparent opioid toxicity deaths in Canada Jan-Mar 2023.
Rates vary significantly by province and territory in 2023.
Data indicates an average rate of 21 deaths per day.

Deaths involving fentanyl doubled between the start of 2016 and 2017.
Men account for a higher percentage of apparent opioid-related deaths.
Deaths among individuals aged 30-39 show variations across Canadian provinces and territories.

Harm Reduction - Defined

Harm reduction aims to minimize negative health, social, and legal impacts of drug use.
It's grounded in justice and human rights.
It does not require people to stop using substances as a condition of receiving services.

Principles of Harm Reduction

Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies that aim to reduce negative consequences of drug use.
It's a social justice movement rooted in respect for the rights of people who use drugs.
Harm reduction can include safer use, managed use, abstinence, and addressing conditions of use.
Harm reduction does not have a one-size-fits-all formula.
Principles include immediacy of needs, focus on health and rights of substance users, challenging discriminatory policies, promoting human rights, public health approach, and adaptive strategies.

Advocacy

Advocacy is supporting or recommending a cause or course of action to improve systems and societal structures for greater equity and health.
Nurses can advocate for eliminating social inequities, individually and collectively.

Decriminalization of Personal Use of Psychoactive Substances

Decriminalization of personal use of psychoactive substances can reduce barriers to healthcare.

Changing the Script - Young Nurses Voices

A discussion on the changing landscape of harm reduction policies.
Provides links to news and YouTube videos for further context.

Workshop Content

Bevel Up is a movement or organization.

Additional Harm Reduction Resources

List provides links to various organizations and resources related to harm reduction.
The links offer further information on principles, details, and resources.

Research with Communities - DTES

Research that includes communities, addressing issues involving substance use, and providing ethical considerations.

Building on Indigenous Advocacy

Emphasizing crucial role of Indigenous communities in driving change in harm reduction.

Pitfalls and Potentials of Research in DTES

Risks in research include perpetuating stigma, undermining community initiatives, triggering traumas, misrepresenting individuals and communities, and creating unnecessary barriers.
Potential positive outcomes can include initiating positive change, educating and empowering communities, highlighting complex issues, advocating for community resources, and creating new sources of income and skills for individuals.

What We Expect From Researchers

Researchers are expected to clearly communicate, practice ethical review with community members and institutions, involve community members.
Conduct research and provide reciprocity through shared knowledge, and collaborate for a positive impact.

Taking Care of Each Other: Indigenizing Harm Reduction

Discussion focused on support and partnership, especially related to indigenous approaches to harm reduction and research.

Additional Resources

A collection of links to various websites about harm reduction, including training, resources, and organizations.

Studying That Suits You

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Description

Explore the critical concepts of harm reduction and its relevance in public health, particularly regarding substance use and the opioid crisis. This quiz discusses the impact of stigma on healthcare access and ethical concerns in nursing practice related to substance abuse. Test your knowledge about current statistics, principles, and equity-oriented healthcare strategies.