The Authors’ Own Words: 'A Scarlet Letter:' Stigma and Other Factors Affecting Trust in the Healthcare System for Women Seeking Substance Abuse Treatment in a Community Setting

The Authors’ Own Words:

We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

‘A Scarlet Letter:’ Stigma and Other Factors Affecting Trust in the Healthcare System for Women Seeking Substance Abuse Treatment in a Community Setting

Joshua D. Cockroft, BA; Susie M. Adams, PhD, RN, PMHNP; Kemberlee Bonnet, MA; Deondria Matlock, MS; Jessica McMillan, DNP, RN, PMHNP; & David Schlundt , PhD

Substance Abuse Vol. 40, Iss. 2, 2019

“Though derived from a small sample size, the findings of this study demonstrate multiple factors that influence trust of the healthcare system for women who seek substance abuse treatment in a community setting. Efforts should be made to address components of healthcare organizations that predispose to stigma, poor quality of care, negatively aligned payment structure and reimbursement, ensuring patients’ rights and protections, and mediating the healthcare system’s potential role in causing or influencing an individual’s substance use disorder (SUD). These findings suggest that public health or institutional interventions to improve treatment for women with a history of SUD may require direct engagement with experiential and structural factors that influence trust and healthcare entry and engagement in order to be effective.“