An Asynchronous Curriculum to Address Substance Use Disorder Training Needs for Medical and Surgical Residents

Developing substance use (SU) skills in medical training remains a challenge. Residents in teaching hospitals bear a large burden in managing SU sequelae and often lack support. Preventive and addiction medicine faculty defined broadly applicable core knowledge and skills for residents across specialties in a tertiary care center. Three 1-hour online modules were developed and delivered asynchronously to interns, followed by a live skills session at orientation. Topics were (1) Unhealthy SU Screening, Detection, and Intervention; (2) Bias and Communication; and (3) Safer Prescribing in Acute Pain. All 68 interns completed the curriculum. Pre/posttesting showed increased knowledge (52%-83% correct, P < .001) and perceived confidence (10-12.9, maximum 16, P < .001). Attitudes were unchanged (18.4-18.7, maximum 20, P = .07). This process identified and improved core knowledge and skills for SU prevention and treatment in medical and surgical trainees.