An online stigma-reduction education program for health care workers working with people who inject drugs: Pilot testing.

Health-related stigma and discrimination pose major challenges to illness prevention and health care access for people who inject drugs (PWID).PWID often experience stigma when seeking support for skin and soft tissue infections from health care workers (HCWs).This study pilot tests an online education program targeting stigma reduction for HCWs working with PWID.The pilot study utilized a one-group, pretest-posttest design with 16 HCWs participating in a self-paced online education program over 3 weeks.Pre-and postprogram surveys assessed changes in attitudinal outcomes, and posttest data evaluated the program feasibility focusing on usability, content relevance, applicability, and complexity.Additionally, recruitment and module completion rates were tracked, with progression criteria including 65% module completion and 80% retention, obtaining a median score of 4 in usability and content, and statistical significance ( p < .05) in attitudinal outcome measures.Attitudinal changes were measured using the Attitude Towards PWID Scale and the Social Distance Scale, with the two-related-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test employed for statistical analysis.The study enrolled 16 HCWs within 14 weeks and achieved 100% module completion and retention rates.Participants rated the program positively for usability, content relevance and applicability with a median score of 7. Analysis of pre-and postintervention surveys showed significant improvements in attitudes toward PWID ( p < .001)and demonstrated a reduction in social distance and negative views toward PWID ( p < 0 .001).The findings support the effectiveness of the online education program in reducing stigma and improving attitudes toward PWID among health care workers. Clinical Impact StatementThe study makes a significant contribution to the existing literature by demonstrating the impact of educational interventions.Such interventions can address the unique challenges and barriers experienced by people who inject drugs when accessing skin and soft tissue infection services.The online stigma-reduction education program's high usability and the positive reception of its content also highlight the potential for online platforms to deliver impactful health care provider training in reducing health-related stigma, thus promoting equitable and accessible care for marginalized populations.