Substance abuse units taught by four specialties in medical schools and residency programs

Four medical specialty organizations conducted a survey of 294 departments in 98 medical schools and 1,124 residency programs to identify the number and type of curriculum units on substance abuse offered by these specialties. A curriculum unit was defined as a formal block of teaching on substance abuse. A total of 251 (85 percent) of the medical school departments and 828 (74 percent) of the residency programs responded. Of those, 175 (70 percent) of the medical school departments and 479 (58 percent) of the residency programs reported offering at least one curriculum unit on substance abuse. There was considerable variation among the four specialties in the number and percentage of departments or programs reporting such units. Overall, a majority of the units addressed both alcohol and other drugs, were required, and included a clinical component. Evaluations of content and teaching strategies are needed to examine the quality and adequacy of substance abuse training.