Undergraduate training in substance abuse in the United Kingdom

During 1987 thirteen departments in each of 28 medical schools were surveyed about the training their undergraduate medical students received in substance abuse. There was a 70% response rate, and of the departments that responded, 54% provided formal teaching (lectures, seminars, symposia), on average 14 hours over the 5 year training. Forty-three per cent of the major clinical specialities provided clinical exposure to addiction problems, but only 21% of clinical and non-clinical departments ensured that students were examined on the topic. There is a need to focus teaching in addiction behaviour either by co-ordinated effort over all departments, or by integration within departments. It is pressing to review and revise the medical curriculum because of the escalation of substance abuse, the need for resources, the pivotal role of the medical profession and the relation of drug abuse to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The development of a 'core' curriculum which demarcates key topics, and which encompasses and links pre-clinical and clinical training in addiction behaviour would be valuable.