Show Notes
Stigma and discrimination faced by people with lived or living experience of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) can create barriers for people seeking care and can result in people seeking services only when their physical and psychological needs are acute or avoiding services altogether. On the other hand, respectful relationships between patient and healthcare providers can improve communication and lead to better therapeutic relationships and health outcomes for patients. General practitioners play a pivotal role in supporting access to care but also in supporting healthy lifestyles.
This podcast aims to raise awareness of the impact of stigma and discrimination and to give General Practitioners the opportunity to reflect on attitudes and behaviours that may impact patients with a lived experience of AOD use. It also touches on the implementation of SafeScript NSW and using this opportunity to engage with patients about their care and support needs.
It is an insightful discussion in a three-part series between a GP, Dr James Ibrahim, the CEO of NSW Users and AIDS Association, Dr Mary Harrod together and three consumers – Frannie, Kevin and Anna, who have generously shared their stories and experience.
• Episode 1: Dr Ibrahim, Dr Harrod and Frannie discuss stigma and discrimination and the importance of language in patient interactions
• Episode 2: Dr Ibrahim, Dr Harrod and Kevin discuss the patient experience of stigma and discrimination and how it affects patient care and outcomes
• Episode 3:Dr Ibrahim, Dr Harrod and Anna discuss SafeScript – how to approach the conversation with patients and use the opportunity for broader discussions about patient care
Resources:
Language Matters Resource (www.nada.org.au/resources/language-matters/) provides workers with best-practice guidelines on how to use language to empower patients and reinforce a person-centred approach.
SafeScript NSW (www.safescript.health.nsw.gov.au/health-p…itioners provides prescribers and pharmacists with real-time information about a patient’s prescribing and dispensing history for certain high-risk medicines such as opioids and benzodiazepines to improve clinical decision making and patient safety.
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