Predoctoral substance use disorders curricula: A survey analysis and experiential pedagogy

Abstract

Substance Use Disorders (SUD) are chronic health conditions with heritability characteristics, environmental influences, long-term management considerations and they cooccur. The US opioid epidemic is a crisis of both prescription and nonprescription opioid use. Clinicians now have access to evidence-based practices but the evolving trends require continuous attention including curriculum initiatives for dental schools. The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the content and educational strategies of current SUD curricula, beneficial educational products for a standardized curriculum and perceived barriers toward standardization. Invitations were sent to 64 US dental schools describing the purpose of this study and a link to complete the survey was provided.Fully completed responses were received from 32 (50.0%) of the schools. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. Most dental schools surveyed (81.3%) have a curriculum for SUD with classroom lectures being the most commonly used teaching method (96.2%), followed by online modules (42.3%). About 30% of the responding schools provided additional educational experiences. Instruction occurred mostly in second (73.1%) and third (77.0%) academic years. Opioids, alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana were the most frequently taught substance classes. Curriculum standardization with online modules (81.3%), case-based exercises (59.4%), and simulation with standardized patients (43.8%) was considered desirable to improve student competency in the management of patients with SUD. Lack of time (62.5%), space (56.3%), and faculty (50.0%) were cited as the most common barriers to curriculum initiatives. Experiential and achievable options for improving SUD curriculum were highlighted.

Opioid Misuse: A Review of the Main Issues, Challenges, and Strategies

“…Concerning the most relevant impacts, the analysis allowed to group such outcomes into three distinct categories: the social, health, and public health sphere; the medical sphere; and the economic, justice and political sphere. Influences from the social and public health sphere include the illegal use of methamphetamine and fentanyl [ 6 , 49 ], and the rise in the number of deaths [ 14 , 39 ] and homicides [ 50 , 51 ]. Effects from a medical perspective involve infectious complications [ 7 ] and neonatal abstinence syndrome [ 36 ].…”

“…Regarding the numerous strategies recommended to deal with the phenomenon, among the most cited, it emerges the clear urge to enhance training and information for both healthcare providers and patients [ 5 , 12 , 14 , 31 , 41 , 45 , 49 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 57 ]. This is essentially related to the recommendation to prevent rather than implement subsequent containment and corrective action [ 12 , 31 , 36 , 40 , 42 , 46 , 54 , 58 ].…”

Launching an innovative educational model addressing substance use disorders and dental pain management (Project ECHO® in dentistry)

“…Dental pain management in patients with substance use disorders is particularly challenging due to factors like multiple medical conditions and drug use, social history, concurrent chronic pain management by other providers, worries of drug misuse and diversion; and relapse during recovery [16]. Additionally, there remains a need for a more comprehensive and innovative approach to teaching and preparing dental students for treating patients with substance use and dependence in dental curriculums [17,18].…”