Exploring Internal Medicine Interns' Educational Experiences on Opioid Addiction: A Narrative Analysis
Joseph B Bartholomew1, Jennifer J Bute2
1School of Social Work, Indiana University.
Health Communication
|June 11, 2021
Summary
Physician education on addiction is insufficient, leaving medical interns unprepared to treat substance use disorders. Enhanced training in addiction medicine, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), is vital to combat the opioid crisis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Addiction Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Widespread addiction rates and the ongoing opioid crisis necessitate improved physician education.
- Physicians in the U.S. exhibit hesitancy towards adopting medication-assisted treatment (MAT) due to educational gaps.
- Understanding residents' perspectives on addiction education is crucial for curriculum development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how internal medicine interns perceive their addiction education experiences.
- To identify themes in interns' narratives regarding addiction training and its impact.
- To inform strategies for enhancing physician preparedness in addiction treatment.
Main Methods:
- A narrative framework was employed to analyze interns' accounts of addiction education.
- Sensemaking was used to categorize and interpret the qualitative data.
- The study focused on first-year residents' experiences during medical school and early residency.
Main Results:
- Four narrative types emerged: dearth, futility, priority, and impact, indicating interrelations.
- Interns recognized addiction as a disease but felt ill-equipped for treatment, lacking understanding of its complexities.
- Despite challenges and "eye-opening" experiences, interns' views on the opioid crisis were shaped, highlighting a need for practical training.
Conclusions:
- Current addiction education for medical interns is inadequate, leading to a lack of confidence and preparedness.
- Enhanced, practical training in addiction medicine, including MAT, is essential for physicians.
- Improving physician competency may increase the adoption of evidence-based treatments, aiding in the reduction of the opioid epidemic.
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