In Case You Haven't Heard…

Abstract

When primary care physicians wonder how to talk to patients about addiction, they should listen to the patients. “Let the patient tell their story.” This is advice from Miriam Komaromy, MD, associate director of Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), a free distance education model which connects primary care physicians with specialists. “I usually start by saying, ‘Tell me a little bit about yourself,’” he said. “If they don't immediately jump in talking about their substance use disorder, I say, ‘OK, now would you be comfortable telling me a little bit about your history of issues with substance use?’ The story really unfolds from there.” People want to tell their story.