Team-Based Care is a podcast for the interprofessional healthcare team. Produced by the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health - Office of Continuing Professional Development, speakers from different professions explore a topic or theme that is evidence based, relevant to their practice, and has an interprofessional lens.
In this episode, we will discuss how stigma surrounding drug and alcohol use can deeply impact individuals' mental health and access to care. Stigma operates on multiple levels—public, self, and structural—creating barriers that prevent people from seeking the support they need. Through a team-based lens, we’ll explore how these forms of stigma manifest, their consequences, and how interdisciplinary teams can work together to reduce their harmful effects in healthcare and society. Our guest host for this episode is Dr. Randy Brown, a professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Wisconsin, and throughout my career, He is focused on improving prevention and treatment services for people who use drugs and alcohol—especially those marginalized by society.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Susan Mindock, Behavioral Health Therapist
Susan Mindock is a Behavioral Health Therapist at UW Health’s Center for Addictive Disorders. She provides inpatient consultations across several UW Health facilities and supports the Transplant Program through outpatient care.
Maggie Williams, Physician Assistant
Maggie Williams is a physician assistant at UW Health who provides compassionate, evidence-based care for people with substance use disorders and related conditions like hepatitis C. Maggie partners closely with her patients to develop personalized care plans, offering nonjudgmental support and respectful communication that centers their unique needs and goals.
Learning Objectives
As a result of participation in this educational activity, members of the healthcare team will be able to:
- Explain how stigma related to substance use affects patient engagement, mental health, and access to care.
- Describe how mindful communication and trauma-informed approaches can reduce stigma within healthcare teams.
- Discuss strategies that interdisciplinary teams can use to foster respectful, patient-centered care for individuals with substance use disorders.
Credit Designation Statements
For more information about continuing education credit for this episode, visit the “Team-Based Care” podcast site in the ICEP online learning portal at https://ce.icep.wisc.edu/content/team-based-care-substance-use-stigma-and-patient-engagement
The accreditation for this course expires 11/16/2026. After this date, you will no longer be able to access the course or claim credit.
For a detailed disclosure of the planners and presenters, please click the following link: https://ce.icep.wisc.edu/team-based-care-podcast-interprofessional-healthcare-team-2025
References & Resources
Reference & Resources
-
Bielenberg J, Swisher G, Lembke A, Haug NA. A systematic review of stigma interventions for providers who treat patients with substance use disorders. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2021 Dec;131:108486.
-
Judd H, Yaugher AC, O'Shay S, Meier CL. Understanding stigma through the lived experiences of people with opioid use disorder. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2023 Aug 1;249:110873.
-
Addison M. Framing stigma as an avoidable social harm that widens inequality. Sociol Rev. 2023 Mar;71(2):296–314.
-
Kitt-Lewis E, Adam M, Phillips K. Stigma Surrounding People with Substance Use Disorder: A Scoping Review Examining Educational Programs. Subst Use Misuse. 2025;60(12):1839–1873.
