“They went down that road, and they get it”: A qualitative study of peer support worker roles within perinatal substance use programs

Olding, Michelle; Cook, A R; Austin, Tamar; Boyd, Jade

doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108578

Cited by 19 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Hospitals and other healthcare settings can be experienced as unsafe spaces by people who use drugs [ 43 , 44 ]. The inclusion of workers with lived experience in healthcare teams can be an effective strategy in reducing fear of discrimination and empowering clients [ 45 ]. People may feel also more comfortable receiving healthcare outside of institutional settings, and so the delivery of specialist methamphetamine use disorder treatment through outreach and community partnerships, and with technological innovations such as telehealth, may also be of value in addressing these provider-client power imbalances.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“There’s a big tag on my head”: exploring barriers to treatment seeking with women who use methamphetamine in Sydney, Australia

Clifford

Gordon²,

Magee

et al. 2023

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background Australia has a high prevalence of regular use of methamphetamine. While half of people who use methamphetamine regularly are women, they make up only one third of people seeking treatment for methamphetamine use disorder. There is a lack of qualitative research into the facilitators and barriers to treatment for women who use methamphetamine regularly. The study seeks a better understanding of the experiences and treatment preferences of women who use methamphetamine, to inform person-centred changes in practice and policy that break down barriers to treatment. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 women who frequently use methamphetamine (at least once a week), and who are not engaged in treatment. Women were recruited from health services surrounding a stimulant treatment centre at an inner-city hospital. Participants were asked about their methapmhetamine use and health service needs and preferences. Thematic analysis was completed using Nvivo® software. Results Three themes were developed from participants’ responses around experiences of regular methamphetamine use and treatment needs: 1. Resistance of stigmatised identity including dependence; 2. Interpersonal violence; 3. Institutionalised stigma. A fourth set of themes on service delivery preferences were also elicited, including continuity of care, integrated health care, and provision of non-judgmental services. Conclusion Gender-inclusive health care services for people who use methamphetamine should actively work to address stigma, support a relational approach to assessment and treatment, and seek to provide structurally competent health care that is trauma and violence informed, and integrated with other services. Findings may also have application for substance use disorders other than methamphetamine.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“There’s a big tag on my head”: exploring barriers to treatment seeking with women who use methamphetamine in Sydney, Australia

Clifford

Gordon²,

Magee

et al. 2023

BMC Health Serv Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Another valuable resource of social support highlighted in our findings is that of other women going through a similar experience. Peer support has been found to be hugely beneficial in a perinatal context, not just for women who face mental health difficulties [ 58 , 59 ] but also for women with additional social vulnerabilities during this time [ 60 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A qualitative study of minority ethnic women’s experiences of access to and engagement with perinatal mental health care

Pilav

Backer

Easter

et al. 2022

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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Background Approximately one in five women will experience mental health difficulties in the perinatal period. However, for a large group of women, symptoms of adverse perinatal mental health remain undetected and untreated. This is even more so for women of ethnic minority background, who face a variety of barriers which prevents them from accessing appropriate perinatal mental health care. Aims To explore minority ethnic women’s experiences of access to and engagement with perinatal mental health care. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 women who had been diagnosed with perinatal mental health difficulties and who were supported in the community by a specialist perinatal mental health service in South London, United Kingdom. Women who self-identified as being from a minority ethnic group were purposefully selected. Data were transcribed verbatim, uploaded into NVivo for management and analysis, which was conducted using reflective thematic analysis. Results Three distinct overarching themes were identified, each with two or three subthemes: ‘Expectations and Experiences of Womanhood as an Ethnic Minority’ (Shame and Guilt in Motherhood; Women as Caregivers; Perceived to Be Strong and Often Dismissed), ‘Family and Community Influences’ (Blind Faith in the Medical Profession; Family and Community Beliefs about Mental Health and Care; Intergenerational Trauma and Family Dynamics) and ‘Cultural Understanding, Empowerment, and Validation’ (The Importance of Understanding Cultural Differences; The Power of Validation, Reassurance, and Support). Conclusion Women of ethnic minority background identified barriers to accessing and engaging with perinatal mental health support on an individual, familial, community and societal level. Perinatal mental health services should be aware ethnic minority women might present with mental health difficulties in different ways and embrace principles of cultural humility and co-production to fully meet these women’s perinatal mental health needs.

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“…Hospitals and other healthcare settings can be experienced as unsafe spaces by people who use drugs (McNeil, Small, Wood, & Kerr, 2014; Pauly, McCall, Browne, Parker, & Mollison, 2015). The inclusion of workers with lived experience in healthcare teams can be an effective strategy in reducing fear of discrimination and empowering clients (Olding, Cook, Austin, & Boyd, 2022). People may feel also more comfortable receiving healthcare outside of institutional settings, and so the delivery of specialist MaUD treatment through outreach and community partnerships, and with technological innovations such as telehealth, may also be of value in addressing these provider-client power imbalances.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“There’s a big tag on my head”: exploring barriers to treatment seeking with women who use methamphetamine in Sydney, Australia

Clifford

Gordon

Magee

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background Australia has a high prevalence of regular use of methamphetamine (MA). While half of people who use MA regularly are women, they make up only one third of people seeking treatment for MA use disorder (MaUD). There is a lack of qualitative research into the facilitators and barriers to treatment for women who use MA regularly. The study seeks a better understanding of the experiences and treatment preferences of women who use MA, to inform person-centred changes in practice and policy that break down barriers to treatment. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 women who frequently use MA (at least once a week), and who are not engaged in treatment. Women were recruited from health services surrounding a stimulant treatment centre at an inner-city hospital. Participants were asked about their MA use and health service needs and preferences. Thematic analysis was completed using Nvivo software. Results Three themes were developed from participants' responses around experiences of regular MA use and treatment needs: 1. Resistance of stigmatised identity including dependence; 2. Interpersonal violence; 3. Institutionalised stigma. Clear service delivery preferences were also elicited, including continuity of care, integrated health care, and provision of non-judgmental services. Conclusion Gender-inclusive health care services for people who use MA should actively work to address stigma, support a relational approach to assessment and treatment, and seek to provide structurally competent health care that is trauma and violence informed, and integrated with other services. Findings may also have application for substance use disorders other MA.

show abstract

“They went down that road, and they get it”: A qualitative study of peer support worker roles within perinatal substance use programs

Cited by 19 publications

References 39 publications

“There’s a big tag on my head”: exploring barriers to treatment seeking with women who use methamphetamine in Sydney, Australia

“There’s a big tag on my head”: exploring barriers to treatment seeking with women who use methamphetamine in Sydney, Australia

A qualitative study of minority ethnic women’s experiences of access to and engagement with perinatal mental health care

“There’s a big tag on my head”: exploring barriers to treatment seeking with women who use methamphetamine in Sydney, Australia

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