SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Medical Student Perceptions of the Care of Patients With Addiction

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This qualitative study explored how medical students perceived the care of patients with substance use disorder (SUD) during clinical training. The background notes that SUD has only recently been widely recognized as a medical condition, and stigma still affects care. Although formal education can improve trainee attitudes, students also learn implicitly from what clinicians say and do in practice.<br /><br />Researchers interviewed 13 medical students at one institution who had completed core clerkships. Through semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, the team identified five recurring themes in students’ observations:<br /><br />1. Nonjudgmental, respectful discussions with patients about substance use.  <br />2. Frustration and disillusionment about the perceived futility of caring for patients with SUD.  <br />3. Cognitive bias influencing medical decision-making.  <br />4. Wide variation in clinician skill and confidence in treating SUD.  <br />5. Logistical barriers that delayed or prevented appropriate treatment.<br /><br />Overall, students saw many clinicians behaving in ways consistent with respectful, patient-centered care, especially during motivational interviewing and honest discussions. However, they also observed lingering stigmatizing beliefs, signs of bias, and pessimism about patient outcomes. Students reported that some clinicians lacked knowledge or self-efficacy, and system-level issues such as delays in consulting addiction specialists or starting medications like buprenorphine made care harder.<br /><br />The authors conclude that while progress has been made, more work is needed to address stigma, improve medical decision-making, and strengthen resources and workflow for treating patients with SUD. They recommend further research to see whether these findings apply at other institutions and in different geographic settings.

Asset Subtitle

Allison Bond

Meta Tag

Author List Alicia Fernandez, Allison Bond, Elizabeth Dzeng, Francine Rios-Fetchko, Mario Gonzalez Ramirez, Soraya Azari

Category Research

Concept Non-judgmental Communication

Concept Substance Use Disorder

Concept Stigmatizing Belief

Concept Cognitive Bias

Concept Clinician Attitude

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of California, San Francisco

Presenting Author Allison Bond

Track Education

Keywords

substance use disorder

medical students

clinical training

stigma

patient-centered care

motivational interviewing

cognitive bias

addiction treatment

buprenorphine

qualitative study

Non-judgmental Communication

Substance Use Disorder

Stigmatizing Belief

Cognitive Bias

Clinician Attitude