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.
Medicine Resident Preparedness to Diagnose and Treat Substance Use Disorders: Impact of an Enhanced Curriculum
Sarah E. Wakeman , Genevieve Pham-Kanter , Meridale V. Baggett , Eric G. Campbell
Substance Abuse
Vol. 36, Iss. 4, 2015
Our findings demonstrate that medicine resident preparedness to diagnose and treat substance use disorders (SUD) can be significantly improved with a relatively limited educational intervention. A greater sense of confidence has been shown to improve physicians’ professional satisfaction caring for patients with addiction and increase screening and referral to treatment, suggesting that improved resident preparedness is a relevant outcome. However, addiction knowledge did not increase in this study. This highlights the need for greater addiction education reform with the development and dissemination of a comprehensive curriculum that includes clinical rotations. This is the educational standard for medical training in other diseases that are far less prevalent, morbid, or fatal than addiction.