METHODS: The class was encouraged to think critically about the topic of harm reduction, their biases toward persons who use injection drugs (PWID), and the role of physicians in improving health outcomes for this population. We sent pre- and post-surveys to the students to measure changes in their attitudes toward PWID and harm reduction. Results: Overall, we successfully changed medical students\' perspectives of PWID. However, their perspectives on the topic of harm reduction did not change significantly from the already positive opinions students had on the topic before the session. After the session, students were less likely to enjoy giving extra time to these patients and were more likely to find that these patients were difficult to work with. Discussion: Harm reduction interventions can potentially prevent health complications associated with drug use, such as bacterial endocarditis, abscess formation, and transmitting diseases such as hepatitis and HIV, alleviating some of the burden placed on healthcare systems by PWID. This interactive session can serve as a model for other institutions that desire to educate their medical students on the topic of harm reduction and to address the stigma that is faced by PWID.
方法:鼓励全班同学批判性地思考减少伤害的主题,他们对使用注射药物(PWID)的人的偏见,以及医生在改善这一人群健康状况方面的作用。我们向学生发送了事前和事后调查,以衡量他们对PWID和减少伤害的态度变化。结果:总体而言,我们成功地改变了医学生对PWID的看法。然而,他们对减少伤害这一主题的看法与学生在会议前对该主题已经很积极的看法并没有显着变化。会议结束后,学生不太可能享受给予这些患者额外的时间,并且更有可能发现这些患者难以工作。讨论:减少危害的干预措施可以潜在地预防与药物使用相关的健康并发症,比如细菌性心内膜炎,脓肿形成,并传播肝炎和艾滋病毒等疾病,减轻PWID给医疗保健系统带来的一些负担。这个互动会议可以作为其他机构的一个模型,这些机构希望教育他们的医学生关于减少伤害的主题,并解决PWID面临的污名。