Nothing but a 'junkie': Stigma's effects on the provision of nursing care within secondary settings

Hortop, Jenna 2012. Nothing but a 'junkie': Stigma's effects on the provision of nursing care within secondary settings. [Taught Course Thesis]. Bachelor, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Diacetylmorphine (heroin) invented by C. R. Alder Wright in 1874 is one of the most addictive substances know today. Heroin is misused worldwide and continues to grow year on year, it carries with it many negative implications for its users and society. Heroin users are highly stigmatised within society through media, negative language and the myths that surround them. Stigma influences people's views, attitudes, beliefs and actions towards users. Nurses are often the first point of contact for users seeking support and are required by law to provide non-judgemental and equal care to all who may need it. Guidelines and policies outline clear standards of care for nurses caring for substance misuse patients (SMPs). A literature review reveals that despite a lawful and ethical duty of care nurses continue to allow themselves to be influenced by stigmatised views which often leads to professional misconduct. This discriminative provision of care in turn may be partly responsible for fuelling the self-perpetuating harmful cycle of drug dependence as well as the negative myths and attitudes that surround it. This dissertation aims to explore how stigma affects nurses' care of SMP focusing on heroin users within secondary care settings, and discover what possible conclusions can be deduced from literature to suggest possible solutions and recommendations for implementation to improve future care.

Item Type:	Taught Course Thesis
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RT Nursing
Additional Information:	This dissertation is only available to Cardiff University staff and students.
Last Modified:	19 Mar 2016 23:16
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/45435

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