Substance Use Health and Stigma

Institution: University of Ottawa

CSWB plan priority / Ottawa's 2023-2026 Term of Council priority: Mental well-being

Project Term: Winter 2025

Course Code: MED4101

Professor(s): Dr. Sue Bennett and Caroline Bala

Group Member(s): Kyran Sachdeva

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Objective(s): The Substance Use Health and Stigma Project aims to enhance the confidence, skills, and willingness of medical and nursing students to engage in open, non-judgmental conversations with patients about substance use health—just as they would for any other medical concern.

To achieve this, the project has set five key objectives:

1. Training & Orientation (by January 2025)

   • University of Ottawa students will review educational materials provided by Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and Families for Addiction Recovery (FAR).

   • They will also participate in a specialized OPH and FAR training session to develop a strong understanding of Substance Use Health, the Spectrum of Substance Use, and the impact of stigma in healthcare settings.

2. Case Study & Communication Practice (by February 2025)

   • Each student will receive a case study and a care plan template from OPH/FAR.

   • They will assess their assigned patient’s needs and create a brief, personalized script within the care plan, demonstrating how they would approach a conversation about substance use health in a respectful and supportive manner.

3. Care Plan Development (by February 2025)

   • Students will conduct research related to their case study and complete a comprehensive client care plan.

   • The care plan will include treatment recommendations, local referral options, and final documentation tailored to their patient’s needs.

4. Simulated Patient Interaction Videos (by April 2025)

   • Students will work in pairs to role-play a healthcare consultation, with one acting as the provider and the other as the patient.

   • Each student will record a short video (at least two minutes long) demonstrating how they would discuss substance use health in a clinical setting.

5. Resource Compilation & Knowledge Sharing (by May 2025)

   • OPH staff will compile the recorded videos into an online educational resource.

   • This resource will feature example scripts and case studies, providing valuable reference material for all participating students.

By completing these objectives, the project will equip future healthcare professionals with the tools to engage patients in meaningful, stigma-free conversations about substance use, ultimately improving health outcomes and reducing barriers to care.

Potential for Impact: The Substance Use Health and Stigma Project has significant potential for both short-term and long-term impact in healthcare education and practice. In the short term, the project equips medical and nursing students with essential skills to engage in non-stigmatizing conversations with all patients as well as those living with substance use disorders. By integrating person-first language and evidence-based communication strategies, students will become more confident and empathetic when addressing substance use health. The structured training, including online modules, in-person sessions, and case study simulations, ensures that participants receive comprehensive education on stigma reduction, overdose prevention, and patient-centered care.

In the long term, this initiative has the potential to create systemic change in healthcare settings by promoting a more compassionate and informed approach to substance use health. As participants transition into their professional roles, they will carry forward the skills and knowledge gained from this project, ultimately improving patient-provider interactions and reducing stigma in clinical environments. The educational resource developed by the participants in the CityStudio project, which compiles video simulations, , will serve as a lasting tool for future cohorts of students, ensuring continued learning and reinforcing best practices in substance use conversations. Over time, this initiative can contribute to broader shifts in healthcare culture, leading to improved patient trust, increased access to support services, and better health outcomes for all patients, including individuals with substance use disorders. By addressing stigma at its roots—through early healthcare education—this project lays the foundation for a more inclusive and patient-centered healthcare system.