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Optimizing Pain Care for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder by Addressing Stigma in Nurses

Award Number: K23DA063773
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/15/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2031

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Optimizing Pain Care for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder by Addressing Stigma in Nurses - Project Summary/Abstract Providing high-quality, patient-centered pain care is an essential component of nursing practice. However, for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), this goal is often obstructed not only by the complexities of pain management in this population but also by pervasive stigma. Nurses play a critical role in assessing and advocating for pain relief, yet they face significant challenges due to widespread stigma toward individuals with OUD. This stigma, shaped by insufficient education, limited clinical training, and societal attitudes, can compromise the quality of care delivered. This project will develop and pilot an evidence- and theory-informed intervention titled Stigma-reduction Training and Addiction Resources for Registered Nurses (STAR-RN). The intervention is designed to reduce stigma and improve nurses' knowledge and self-efficacy related to clinical decision-making in pain care for individuals with OUD during hospitalization. Guided by Intervention Mapping and a community-based participatory research approach, STAR-RN will be co-developed with individuals with lived experience of OUD and bedside nurses to ensure clinical relevance and practical application. The proposed study includes two specific aims: (1) develop the STAR-RN intervention; and (2) conduct a pilot study to evaluate its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness, measured by changes in nurse stigma, pain-related knowledge, and pain management self-efficacy. This project is innovative in its integration of stigma and pain content into a unified, nurse-centered intervention designed specifically for hospital-based nurses, a critical but under-targeted workforce in existing efforts. The digital, modular format and inclusion of lived experience ensure the intervention is scalable, adaptable, and grounded in real-world contexts. The proposed work directly aligns with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) strategic priorities by addressing stigma as a modifiable barrier to care and advancing pragmatic, provider-level solutions to improve outcomes for people with complex pain and substance use needs. Through targeted training in addiction science, intervention design, qualitative methods, and interdisciplinary team science, this K23 award will provide the foundation for an independent research career focused on improving pain care and reducing disparities in acute care settings.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $186,622 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND	75 LOWER COLLEGE RD RM 103	KINGSTON	RI	02881	WASHINGTON	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	1	6/4/2026	NEW	$186,622
														Subtotal = $186,622

Grand Total All Awards = $186,622

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Optimizing Pain Care for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder by Addressing Stigma in Nurses

Award Number: K23DA063773

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/15/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2031

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