NCJ Number
203088
Editor(s)
Mary R. Haack Ph.D.,
Hoover Adger, Jr. M.D.
Date Published
September 2002
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This report provides a summary describing and outlining the development of the Strategic Plan for Interdisciplinary Faculty Development initiated to create systematic changes in the preparation of health professionals to take an expanded role in addressing America's substance abuse problem.
Abstract
America continues to face the real threat of substance use disorders (SUD) which accounts for more deaths, illnesses, and disabilities than any other preventable health condition. It is necessary to ensure that all health professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately to the needs of patients and families affected by SUD. In 1999, the Health Resources and Services Administration's Bureau of Health Professions in cooperation with the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse initiated the development of a Strategic Plan for Interdisciplinary Faculty Development to reduce substance use and its related health and social consequences. This summary describes how the plan was developed and outlines the critical role of health professionals in SUD prevention and treatment, summarizes the content of the set of 8 papers that review the scientific evidence in support of the plan, summarizes the content of the 11 papers that present a discipline-specific perspective on health professions training in SUD, and lists the core knowledge, attitudes, competencies, and skills needed by health professionals in all disciplines in order to effectively identify, intervene with, and refer patients with SUD. The summary concludes with 12 recommendations for improving health professionals' training in SUD.