DARTMOUTH – A research team comprised of faculty from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth College of Nursing & Health Sciences have been awarded a two-year, $595,485 grant from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts to develop training in treating opioid use disorder.
Professor Mary McCurry, along with assistant professors Monika Schuler, Jennifer Viveiros, Shannon Avery-Desmarais and Mirinda Tyo helped create a project titled “Novel Organizational Simulation Training to Improve Graduate’s Mastery & Attitudes,” also known as “NO STIGMA.” UMass Dartmouth said the project aims to develop an evidence-based toolkit of simulations for undergraduate, masters and doctoral nursing students to address stigma toward those who are battling opioid addiction.
The educational interventions, UMass Dartmouth said, will aim to enhance knowledge and empathy in new nurses and new practitioners to remove barriers to treatment, as well as improve outcomes of treatment for those suffering from addiction.
Kimberly Christopher, dean of UMass Dartmouth’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences, said in a statement that while the COVID-19 pandemic is at the forefront, it is still critical to remember that the opioid crisis and its stigma still exists. She said the grant will assist the college in preparing future nurses to treat patients with opioid use disorder “with the highest levels of care and compassion.”
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.
