Systematic Review of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Training for Medical Students and Residents

Opioid use and overdose represent a major public health crisis in the United States. Training in opioid use disorder treatment is a complex and multi-faceted endeavor with topics that range from harm reduction and overdose reversal to medication-assisted treatment.

We conducted a systematic review of literature on medical school opioid training to assess the current state of medical student and resident training to treat opioid use disorder.

Seven total studies were identified that evaluated medical student or resident trainings. All the studies showed some positive change in knowledge, confidence, attitudes, and/or practice behavior of the participants.

Six of the seven studies were conducted among medical residents, and only two included medical students. The reviewed studies effectively addressed specific aspects of effective opioid use disorder treatment. More studies are needed that include medical students, and on effective, all-inclusive training strategies for opioid use disorder curricula.