Creating and promoting Geriatric Addictions Knowledge in Canada

Abstract

AbstractIn this session we will discuss three successful programs featuring innovative education for geriatric psychiatry residents including Geriatric Addiction Guidelines, Geriatric Addiction needs assessment for ECHO rounds and curriculum development and evaluation for geriatric psychiatry residents. These the ability increase participants capacity to support Older Adults with Substance Use disorders.The New Canadian Guidelines for Substance Use Disorders in Older adultsIn this session participants will become familiar with the key recommendations for four the newly launched Canadian Guidelines for Substance Use disorders in Older Adults. The guidelines include Alcohol, Benzodiazepine/ BZRA's, Cannabis and Opiate Use Disorders. The guidelines were developed by a panel of Canadian Interdisciplinary experts. We will discuss the development of the guidelines as well as the key recommendations.Creating a comprehensive addictions curriculum in a geriatric psychiatrysubspecialitytraining program BackgroundSubstance use disorders (SUDs) in older adults, arising from both prescription medications and recreational substances, are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Barriers to detection of SUDs in this age group include non-specific signs, ageism, lack of research and age-appropriate screening tools, and limited education to health care practitioners and trainees. While Canadian treatment guidelines have recently emerged to aid assessment and management of SUDs in older adults, formal training on this subject in residency programs is minimal. MethodsWe created a first-of-its-kind comprehensive geriatric addictions curriculum in a geriatric psychiatry subspeciality training program in Canada. Informed by a needs assessment, and powered by a multidisciplinary expert faculty, we created a curriculum using a combination of didactic and case-based learning. Course content incudes common substances of misuse, concurrent disorders, medical withdrawal, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, and capacity and legal issues. We will conduct pre- and post-intervention assessments of knowledge, skills, and confidence. ResultsFeedback from the September 2022 inaugural curriculum will be presentedLearning Needs Assessment for Project ECHO Ontario Mental Health at CAMH for Geriatric Addiction Rounds an interdisciplinary collaborative approach BackgroundGeriatric Addictions rounds is a collaboration 4 agencies throughout Ontario and supported through Behavioral supports Ontario, CAMH, Baycrest, CMHAWW, & St Joseph's Health Care Guelph. The rounds are held monthly via Zoom and cover a variety of topics related to older adults and substance use disorders. The attendance at rounds has become increasingly popular with representation from multiple disciplines with expressions of interest in case-based learning. MethodsAn online survey of participants from the province was conducted. The survey participants identified the need to learn more about this at-risk population. Education sessions with a case-based learning is a need in the province of Ontario was identified as a learning need for all participants. ResultsA community of practice to help inform geriatric addictions with expressed interest in understanding diversity issues with Older Adult Indigenous, 2SLGTBQ+ and Black with Substance Use Disorders; and ways to support caregivers of Older Adults was identified. This information will be used to move forward with an application for ECHO Geriatric Addition Rounds.