Filling the substance use treatment gap requires better education and research training
While education is unlikely the ultimate filling for the substance use treatment gap, it is one that can be hardly overlooked and underestimated.
Many medical programs likely do little in the way of introducing students to the scientific evidence underlying addictions treatment, and emerging physicians have difficulty implementing best evidence.
This is a serious concern in light of the urgent need for improved addictions care, and highlights even further the necessity of expanding interdisciplinary education in evidence-based addictions treatment.
Why equity hinders effective pain relief for opioid naive people
Equitable access to care is problematic; some people get it, most are left out.
The REDONNA study (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2021.106462) began from the motivation for equitable opioid prescribing in primary care. It aimed to provide prescribing non-judgmental feedback to physicians using audit & feedback letters developed by the @Drug_Evidence and @DrRitaMc @malcolmlaclure
They received information about the number of new opioid initiations & how they compared to the average physician. They were provided information on the (lack) of effectiveness on pain for opioid naïve patients through educational webinars: https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmac044
From this study, we hope to support the uptake of quality prescribing practices that are equity-oriented and evidence-based to help patients manage pain.
Equitable care saves lives
This includes equitable prescribing for individuals who use opioids in addition to medical education that goes beyond and amplifies the message of international @OverdoseDay #IOAD2022 #endoverdose
Special thanks to @ShawnaNarayan for coordinating REDONNA and crafting educational messages.
Family physician and practice characteristics in audit and feedback
Audit and feedback interventions elicit behaviour change by describing existing patterns of behaviour and providing education about desired ideal behaviours. But these effects vary based on their design and delivery.
Although many studies showed the effectiveness of such interventions on clinician prescribing behaviours, few have looked at the prescriber and practice characteristics most predictive of behaviour changes.
Understanding which clinicians are most likely to respond positively is necessary for improving quality of care.
How was this review done?
Can online training uplift opioid sparing strategies?
Opioid analgesic prescribing has been in trouble for decades in North America. Things are changing, though. Still, there’s room to adjust care, especially new starts.
Exploring barriers and facilitators to health equity
[April 27] The ongoing opioid crisis continues to inflict serious harms on thousands of British Columbians. Some harms are due to initiation of opioid analgesics in primary care which contributes to the development of prescription opioid addiction and opioid use disorder (OUD) in up to a quarter of all individuals started on opioid analgesics. (more…)