Addressing the growing opioid and heroin abuse epidemic: a call for medical school curricula

Abstract

Substance abuse is a growing public health concern in the USA (US), especially now that the US faces a national drug overdose epidemic. Over the past decade, the number of drug overdose deaths has rapidly grown, largely driven by increases in prescription opioid-related overdoses. In recent years, increased heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl overdoses have substantially contributed to the rise of overdose deaths. Given the role of physicians in interacting with patients who are at risk for or currently abusing opioids and heroin, it is essential that physicians are aware of this issue and know how to respond. Unfortunately, medical school curricula do not devote substantial time to addiction education and many physicians lack knowledge regarding assessment and management of opioid addiction. While some schools have modified curricula to include content related to opioid prescription techniques and pain management, an added emphasis about the growing role of heroin and fentanyl is needed to adequately address the epidemic. By adapting curricula to address the rising opioid and heroin epidemic, medical schools have the potential to ensure that our future physicians can effectively recognize the signs, symptoms, and risks of opioid/heroin abuse and improve patient outcomes. This article proposes ways to include heroin and fentanyl education into medical school curricula and highlights the potential of simulation-based medical education to enable students to develop the skillset and emotional intelligence necessary to work with patients struggling with opioid and heroin addiction. This will result in future doctors who are better prepared to both prevent and recognize opioid and heroin addiction in patients, an important step in helping reduce the number of addicted patients and address the drug overdose epidemic.

The Extent to Which Menstruation-Related Issues Are Included in Graduate-Level Public Health Curricula

“…Adding new content to ASPPH curricula is not a small task given the many competing topics and limited length of graduate-level public health training. However, the literature highlights a few key factors for successfully integrating new content into public health curricula, including sector recognition ( 32 , 33 ), demonstrated student interest ( 34 ), and early adopters and champions. To date, menstruation-related topics have made some progress in relation to these facilitating factors.…”

Assessing pharmacy student experience with, knowledge of and attitudes towards harm reduction: illuminating barriers to pharmacist-led harm reduction

“…Opioids and substance use have become a recent focus of adaptive medical [ 21 , 31 ], nursing [ 32 – 34 ], and pharmacy [ 35 – 37 ] curricula. This study utilized measures by which to assess incoming student knowledge and attitudes with regard to opioids and substance use.…”

Improving outcomes in the treatment of opioid dependence (IOTOD): reflections on the impact of a medical education initiative on healthcare professionals’ attitudes and clinical practice

“…Future approaches for building on the methods of learning offered include the use of simulation-based medical education (SBME). SBME has been shown to enhance retention of training information compared with lectures [17], and could be incorporated into the event.…”

“…This would more effectively prepare future HCPs to respond to more situations, manage care and prevent overdoses [17]. …”