AMERSA, Author at AMERSA

The Authors’ Own Words: Internal medicine resident knowledge, attitudes and barriers to naloxone prescription in hospital and clinic settings.

Apr 18, 2020 by AMERSA

The Authors’ Own Words: We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Internal medicine resident knowledge, attitudes and barriers to naloxone prescription in hospital and clinic settings.

J. Deanna Wilson, MD, MPH; Natalie Spicyn, MD, MHS; Pamela Matson, PhD, MPH; Anika Alvanzo, MD, MS; & Leonard Feldman, MD

Substance Abuse Vol. 37, Iss. 3, 2016

“Our manuscript, “Internal medicine resident knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to naloxone prescription in hospital and clinic settings” provides a novel and timely look at the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of Internal Medicine resident trainees regarding prescription of naloxone for overdose reversal in community settings, and towards addiction treatment more broadly. At a time when municipalities across the country are declaring states of emergency due to the opioid epidemic, it is more crucial than ever to examine how residents are trained on this potentially life-saving intervention, and to intervene with a targeted educational initiative during this influential period in their medical training, when the knowledge base and habits that inform their career are being shaped. The HOPE study is the first of its kind focusing specifically on physicians-in-training, and will help not only inform future educational initiatives, but will also serve as a proof-of-concept for the feasibility of implementing a successful overdose prevention program utilizing a harm-reduction paradigm from within the inpatient setting.”

The Authors’ Own Words: Molly Users versus Non-users in a Sample of College Alcohol Drinkers: Differences in Substance-Related Harms and Sensation Seeking

Apr 17, 2020 by AMERSA

Molly Users versus Non-users in a Sample of College Alcohol Drinkers: Differences in Substance-Related Harms and Sensation Seeking

Ashley N. Linden-Carmichael, MS; Amy L. Stamates, MS; Brynn E. Sheehan, MS; & Cathy Lau-Barraco, PhD

Substance Abuse Vol. 37, Iss. 3, 2016

“Molly is a form of MDMA that is perceived by some users to be more “pure” and possibly less harmful than other forms of MDMA. To the best of our knowledge, our study was the first to examine prevalence, risks, and personality characteristics associated with Molly use in a college sample. Our findings suggest that 12% of students sampled have used Molly. In addition, Molly users report higher levels of sensation seeking, and Molly use is uniquely related to greater risk for substance-related harms. These findings demonstrate a need for correcting possible misperceptions about Molly in addition to educating users on the potential for experiencing harm.”

The Authors’ Own Words: Alcohol Screening Scores and the Risk of Intensive Care Unit Admission and Hospital Readmission

Apr 17, 2020 by AMERSA

Alcohol Screening Scores and the Risk of Intensive Care Unit Admission and Hospital Readmission

Brendan J. Clark, MD, MS; Anna D. Rubinsky, PhD; P. Michael Ho, MD, PhD; David H. Au, MD, MS; Laura J. Chavez, MPH; Marc Moss, MD; & Katharine A. Bradley, MD, MPH

Substance Abuse Vol. 37, Iss. 3, 2016

“This work builds on a body of literature that demonstrates that patients with severe alcohol misuse overuse emergent healthcare services. Additionally, alcohol misuse predisposes to or worsens the severity of several illnesses commonly cared for in an intensive care unit including sepsis/septic shock, the acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute respiratory failure, and nosocomial infection. The end result is that alcohol misuse, particularly severe alcohol misuse, is common in patients admitted to an ICU. In this manuscript, we confirm that alcohol misuse increases the risk of being admitted to an ICU. We further demonstrate an increased risk of hospital readmission. Although there are numerous potential explanations for the increased morbidity in ICU survivors with alcohol misuse, one potential explanation is ongoing heavy alcohol consumption. Our current healthcare system is poorly positioned to bridge patients from a life-threatening illness into alcohol treatment. This work highlights the need to further understand the unique barriers to alcohol treatment for ICU survivors as one approach to break the “vicious cycle” described in this manuscript.”

The Authors’ Own Words: Evaluation of Overdose Prevention Trainings in NYC: Knowledge and Self-efficacy among Participants Twelve Months after Training

Apr 16, 2020 by AMERSA

Evaluation of Overdose Prevention Trainings in NYC: Knowledge and Self-efficacy among Participants Twelve Months after Training

Lara Maldjian, MPH; Anne Siegler, DrPH, MPH; & Hillary V. Kunins, MD, MPH, MS

Substance Abuse Vol. 37, Iss. 3, 2016

“This is the first study in the United States to look systematically at knowledge and self-efficacy among opioid overdose prevention trainees twelve months after training. This study shows that knowledge of the two most important overdose response actions (giving naloxone and calling 911), as well as feelings of self-efficacy, are high among training recipients, but that greater efforts should be made by trainers to reinforce knowledge of all recommended overdose response actions. Our results also suggest that trainings conducted indoors are associated with greater levels of knowledge; while we acknowledge that indoor trainings are not always feasible and recognize the importance of street-based outreach, outdoor trainings should strive to be as comprehensive as indoor trainings. This study reaffirms that individuals who attend overdose prevention trainings at registered NYC opioid overdose prevention programs have the requisite knowledge and confidence to respond to overdose in their communities twelve months after being trained, and are key responders in reducing mortality due to overdose.”

The Authors’ Own Words: B-SAFER: A Web-Based Intervention for Drug Use and Intimate Partner Violence Demonstrates Feasibility and Acceptability Among Women in the Emergency Department

Apr 16, 2020 by AMERSA

B-SAFER: A Web-Based Intervention for Drug Use and Intimate Partner Violence Demonstrates Feasibility and Acceptability Among Women in the Emergency Department

Esther K. Choo, MD, MPH; Caron Zlotnick, PhD; David R. Strong, PhD; Daniel D. Squires, PhD, MPH; Chantal Tapé & Michael J. Mello, MD, MPH

Substance Abuse Vol. 37, Iss. 3, 2016

“This pilot study established the feasibility and acceptability of a novel Web-based brief intervention targeting women with substance use disorders and intimate partner violence (IPV) presenting to the emergency care setting. Such technologies could overcome the perennial barriers in the clinical setting to identifying and treating drug use and associated problems. It has been suggested that targeting specific high-risk populations may improve the impact of brief interventions. The findings of this study support a full-scale trial of the BSAFER intervention among women presenting to the emergency department with coexisting drug use and IPV.”