What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations

PATHS: Peer Assisted Telemedicine for Health in Substance Users


Listen Later

In this episode of What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations, host Dani Gehrke speaks with Dr. Hunter Spencer of the Oregon Health & Science University about Oregon’s hepatitis C epidemic and the PATHS program (Peer Assisted Telemedicine for Health in Substance users). Dr. Spencer explains how stigma, trauma, and distrust keep many who use drugs from seeking care, and how certified peers in recovery build trust and facilitate communication between patients and clinicians.

 

About the Guest

Dr. Hunter C. Spencer, DO, AAHIVS, provides care to create a more beautiful and just community. He is inspired to treat and cure diseases that interact with every aspect of people’s lives like chronic infections and substance use disorders. He finds meaning in sharing in his patients’ trauma, struggles and successes.

PATHS is an intervention developed by Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) in collaboration with partners. Peer recovery support specialists (peers) assist people who use drugs to access hepatitis C (HCV) and syphilis testing, facilitate telemedicine HCV treatment, and support participants in medication adherence.

 

Resources & Links

  • PATHS: Peer Assisted Telemedicine for Health in Substance Users, www.peerpathstohealth.org

  • Additional interview about federal funding to support PATHS

  • Oregon Primary Care Association programming to support Poly-Substance Use Disorder (PSUD)

    • PSUD Workgroup
    • PSUD Webinar Series
    • Sign up for email updates about the podcast here.

      Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and follow What the HEC: Health Education & Conversations for more discussions on community health, policy, and innovation.

       

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      What the HEC: Health Education & ConversationsBy Oregon Primary Care Association