Exploring Current Trends and Barriers in Integrating Substance Use Disorder Education Into the Physician Assistant/Associate Curriculum.

Abstract

Introduction: The state of substance use disorder (SUD) training among US physician assistant/associate (PA) programs was last published in 2001. The purpose of this study was to provide an updated evaluation of the SUD training curriculum among Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)-accredited PA programs. In addition, we will identify any potential barriers to implementing SUD education in either the didactic or clerkship curriculum.

Methods: From April to October 2023, an 18-item Web-based survey was administered via Qualtrics to 208 ARC-PA-accredited PA programs. Questions queried delivery of SUD education during the 2021 to 2022 academic year.

Results: A total of 33 PA programs completed the survey. Most (93.9%) but not all the surveyed PA programs required SUD education in the didactic curriculum. Programs varied widely in the hours dedicated to SUD (mean 10.5 ± 11.7 hours, range 1-36 hours) and the delivery format. Relatively few programs (39.4%) provided dedicated SUD training in the clinical clerkship curriculum due to a lack of available clinical sites and qualified preceptors, coupled with SUD not being prioritized within the program.

Discussion: While most surveyed PA programs provide SUD education in the didactic curriculum, there is a large variance in the amount of time spent and the topics covered. Relatively few programs provide SUD training in the clerkship curriculum, primarily due to insufficient clinical sites, qualified preceptors, and program priorities.