Closing the gap between training needs and training provision in addiction medicine

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Public Health
• Professional Training

Background:

• Substance use disorders (SUDs) represent a major global health and economic challenge.
• Effective SUD interventions are available, yet treatment access is insufficient.
• A key barrier to treatment coverage is the shortage of a well-trained workforce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the gap in understanding the specific training needs of professionals in addiction medicine.
• To propose a standardized, peer-led survey approach for assessing these needs.
• To inform the development of internationally applicable curricula and core competencies.

Main Methods:

• A peer-led survey utilizing a standardized, structured tool is proposed.
• The survey aims to assess the detailed training requirements of professionals in the field.
• Focus on gathering data to identify a core set of competencies.

Main Results:

• The study proposes a methodology rather than presenting empirical results.
• Anticipates that findings will highlight specific, detailed training needs.
• The data will guide the creation of a flexible competency framework.

Conclusions:

• A systematic assessment of training needs is crucial for improving addiction medicine workforce capacity.
• A peer-led, standardized survey can effectively identify these needs.
• The development of flexible, internationally applicable core competencies is essential for enhancing global SUD treatment coverage.