Experiential education as a strategy to preserve Maqasid Al-Shariah by identifying and addressing stigmatic views held by pharmacy students of patients with substance use disorders.

Nor Hidayah Mohd Taufek; Syafiqah Nadiah Halimi; Norny Syafinaz Ab Rahman; Che Suraya Zin; Che Anuar Che Mohamad; Christopher John Turner

doi:10.31436/jop.v1i1.9

Authors

Nor Hidayah Mohd Taufek Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang. Substance Use Disorders Research Group, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia.
Syafiqah Nadiah Halimi Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang.
Norny Syafinaz Ab Rahman Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang. Substance Use Disorders Research Group, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia.
Che Suraya Zin Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang. Substance Use Disorders Research Group, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia.
Che Anuar Che Mohamad Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang.
Christopher John Turner Retired but formerly with Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, United States.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/jop.v1i1.9

Keywords:

Stigma, experiential education, substance use disorders, protection of life, Maqasid Al-Shariah

Abstract

Introduction: Stigmatising people with a history of substance use disorders (PHSUDs) is discriminatory, causes harm by hindering access to health services and promotes relapse. It jeopardises the preservation of Maqasid Al-Shariah, particularly the protection of life and well-being. Experiential education (EE) is a potential strategy to overcome stigma through direct experience with PHSUDs. This study aimed to identify stigmatised views of PHSUD's held by pharmacy students and, in accord with Maqasid Al-Shariah, the effectiveness of EE in changing those views.

Materials and methods: Interviews were conducted with seven undergraduate pharmacy students who provided care to PHSUDs through an EE programme. A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore students' perceptions on stigma. Each interview was audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Data were manually sorted and coded using Microsoft Excel 2016 and subjected to thematic analysis.

Results: The following themes related to stigma were identified: 1) individuals are to blame 2) moral versus biological views of addiction 3) stereotypes of unpredictability and dangerousness 4) lack of didactic education/training for pharmacy students regarding PHSUDs and 5) lack of face-to-face experiential education with PHSUDs. Less stigma and greater empathy towards PHSUDs were reported post-intervention attributable to increased knowledge about substance abuse and face-to-face interactions with PHSUDs.

Conclusion: Pharmacy students have pre-conceived stigmatic views regarding PHSUDs modifiable through experiential education. Contact by pharmacy students with stigmatised patients promotes health care without discrimination as advocated in the teaching of Islam. Future interventions to reduce stigma are required to preserve Maqasid Al-Shariah.

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