A Multidisciplinary Resident-Led Training on Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder [24F

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This was a performance improvement project led by a first-year OB/Gyn resident with two goals: to improve resident knowledge on opioid use disorder (OUD) and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and to increase the number of buprenorphine and methadone prescribers in Santa Clara County. METHODS: A four-hour, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry-approved training was held in March 2019, attended by 25 residents from 6 institutions and 6 specialties: IM, OB/Gyn, Anesthesia, EM, Neurology, and FM. After, attendees completed an online session to become MAT prescribers. Attendees completed a pre- and post- survey assessing knowledge of MAT and OUD, and attitudes toward substance use disorders. RESULTS: Attendees demonstrated improvement in knowledge of OUD and MAT. 16 of the 25 attendees went on to complete the online training and earn waivers to prescribe MAT. This represents a 7.6% increase in the number of eligible prescribers in Santa Clara County. CONCLUSION: The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis; patients in MAT have lower mortality rates than those who are not. However, there are inadequate MAT providers. This training effectively increases resident knowledge of OUD and MAT and increases the number of MAT prescribers. It also demonstrates motivation among residents of multiple specialties to be part of the solution. The strong and diverse attendance demonstrates that resident education must be a site of intervention to curb the opioid epidemic. More must be done to create opportunities for residents to put this learning into practice.