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.

The Role of Pain in Quitting among HIV Positive Smokers Enrolled in a Smoking Cessation Trial

Carrie J. Aigner, PhD; Ellen R. Gritz, PhD; Irene Tamí-Maury, DMD, MSc, DrPH; George P. Baum, MS; Roberto C. Arduino, MD; & Damon J. Vidrine, DrPH

Substance Abuse Vol. 38, Iss. 2, 2017

“The results of this study identify PLWHA with greater pain as having poorer quit outcomes in a smoking cessation intervention trial. With the mounting evidence linking pain to smoking, there is a need for greater focus on ways in which we can better tailor interventions to meet the needs of smokers. Among PWLHA trying to quit, this may mean integrating aspects of pain and symptom management into smoking cessation treatment.”

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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.

Development of an Opioid-Related Overdose Risk Behavior Scale (ORBS)

Enrique R. Pouget, PhD; Alex S. Bennett, PhD; Luther Elliott, PhD; Brett Wolfson-Stofko, PhD; Ramona Almeñana, MPA; Peter C. Britton, PhD; & Andrew Rosenblum, PhD

Substance Abuse Vol. 38, Iss. 3, 2017

“The ORBS includes items regarding opioid-related overdose risks that are not captured using common risk assessment methods. The scale’s focus on polysubstance use, modes of administration, and social contexts for use may prove to be useful for better understanding overdose risks that can change over time or may differ across populations. Use of the ORBS has the potential to help improve the precision of overdose research and of overdose education and prevention efforts.”

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We hope that you have had time to go through all of this issue’s Author’s Own Words! This was a special issue of SAj, almost all of the manuscripts highlighted Addressing Opioid Misuse through Healthcare Provider Training.

The most viewed manuscript in this issue was:

From education to practice: Addressing opioid misuse through health care provider training: A special issue of Substance Abuse journal

Adam J. Gordon, MD, MPH & John Daniel Harding Jr., BA

With 2,058 views…and counting!

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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.

Adolescent Substance Use: Assessing the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of a School-Based Health Center Workforce

Mary M. Ramos, MD, MPH; Rachel A. Sebastian, MA; Mary Murphy, BS; Kristin Oreskovich, PNP; & Timothy P. Condon, PhD

Substance Abuse Vol. 38, Iss. 2, 2017

“This 2015 statewide school-based health center (SBHC) workforce survey found high levels of perceived role responsibility, self-efficacy, confidence, and comfort around addressing substance use among primary care and behavioral health care SBHC providers. However, less than half of providers reported practicing the full Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model at their SBHC. SBHC provider attributes including role responsibility, self-efficacy, confidence, and comfort were all significantly associated with the provision of SBIRT.  These findings suggest that continuing education on SBIRT as well as trainings to enhance these provider attributes (including role responsibility and self-efficacy) may help increase the uptake of SBIRT in SBHC settings.”

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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.

What Do Physicians Want to Know About Opioid Prescribing? A Qualitative Analysis of Their Questions

Phoebe A. Cushman, MD; Jane M. Liebschutz, MD, MPH; Joseph G. Hodgkin, BA; Christopher W. Shanahan, MD, MPH; Julie L. White, MS; Ilana Hardesty, BA; & Daniel P. Alford, MD, MPH

Substance Abuse Vol. 38, Iss. 2, 2017

“The primary contribution of this study is a qualitative analysis of how well the FDA’s extended release/long acting (ER/LA) opioid analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) curricular Blueprint addresses the concerns of opioid prescribers who attended a REMS training. The study found that providers are eager to learn not only the mechanics of safe opioid prescribing for chronic pain (e.g. risk assessments, patient-provider agreements), but also how to have challenging discussions with patients about opioids while maintaining a positive patient-provider relationship. Other important findings included prescribers’ requests for information on safe alternatives to opioids and frustration with the lack of access to pain specialists. A major implication of our study is that all providers need improved instruction in comprehensive pain management across their careers. The FDA curricular Blueprint is continually being revised and updated; we believe that future updates should address providers’ additional concerns.”

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