Beyond the Script: Applying Harm Reduction Principles in Practice

Communication and relationship building are key approaches to harm reduction that focus on meeting people where they are. Both rely on shifting away from stigma and bias to create a safe, open dialogue between patient and provider that builds trust and autonomy while prioritizing safety and dignity. Clinical guidelines on how to effectively implement these principles of harm reduction to affect incremental, positive change exist, but can be difficult to translate into practice.

This episode features two New York City-based nurses who are passionate about harm reduction and strive to bring its principles to all care settings. In partnership with another colleague, they developed a harm reduction tool to help providers navigate the sometimes opaque work of harm reduction in clinical spaces. Guests will introduce the tool, discuss the complexities of practicing harm reduction medicine and provide concrete strategies to integrate harm reduction into every clinical encounter. Related Content: 

• CEI Line: 1-866-637-2342
• https://ceitraining.org/
• CEI Training, Integrating Harm Reduction into Every Clinical Encounter: https://ceitraining.org/courses/1597
• New York State Department of Health Clinical Guidelines for Substance Use Harm Reduction in Medical Care: https://www.hivguidelines.org/guideline/substance-use-harm-reduction/
• New York State Office for Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) Harm Reduction: https://oasas.ny.gov/harm-reduction
• National Harm Reduction Coalition: https://harmreduction.org/
• Hawk, M., Coulter, R.W.S., Egan, J.E., et al. (2017). Harm reduction principles for healthcare settings. Harm Reduct J. 14(70). doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-017-0196-4