Irish Canadian project highlights global issue
This toolkit is based on a study that aimed to establish the feasibility and accessibility of training primary care practitioners in addiction medicine.
In particular how international models of addiction medicine training might inform the future of development of General Practice education in Ireland.
The study had three phases: in the first phase we conducted a literature review, the second phase assessed needs in both systems. And in the third phase we explored the feasibility of the education.
Towards a research agenda for addiction education in Europe, u21 poster
u21 health sciences group 2020 virtual meeting: A collaborative approach to healthcare was hosted by University College Dublin from August 25th – 28th. Here is a summary of my research submitted to the virtual meeting. (more…)
Can prescribers avoid contributing to opioid use disorder?
A 21 y/o has surgery for a condition expected to improve. He fills a discharge prescription for 5 days of an opioid at a standard dose. At 1-week follow-up with his family doctor for suture removal, he describes ongoing pain. Can prescribers avoid contributing to opioid use disorder? Is a renewal of opioid appropriate, potentially dangerous, or both? Read more …
Can prescribers avoid contributing to opioid use disorder?
Missing Evidence on Addiction Medicine Professional Training Needs
We wanted to find out whether newly trained professionals working in addiction medicine around the world felt they had enough and appropriate training to treat individuals with addictions.
| QUICK FACT: There are international differences in the training quality and type given to professionals in addiction medicine, and their training needs. |
Addiction training provision must meet training needs
Closing the gap between training needs and training provision in addiction medicine
Substance use disorders pose a significant global social and economic burden. Although effective interventions exist, treatment coverage remains limited.
The lack of an adequately trained workforce is one of the prominent reasons.
Recent initiatives improved training nationally, but further efforts are required to build curricula that are internationally applicable. We therefore believe that the training needs of professionals in the area have not yet been explored in sufficient detail.
Addiction training provision must meet training needs
We propose that a peer-led survey to assess those needs, using a standardised structured tool, would help to overcome this deficiency.
The findings from such a survey could be used to develop a core set of competencies which is sufficiently flexible in its implementation to address the specific needs of the wide range of professionals working in addiction medicine worldwide.
Source: Arya, S., Delic, M., Ruiz, B., Klimas, J., Papanti, D., Stepanov, A., . . . Krupchanka, D. (2019). Closing the gap between training needs and training provision in addiction medicine. BJPsych International, 1-3. doi:10.1192/bji.2019.27
If you enjoyed reading about this research, you might enjoy reading about a similar needs assessment here:
Scoping the needs of early career addiction specialists, Protocol