| A Substance Abuse Training Approach
by Francis Levin, MD., Randy Stinchfield, Ph.D., Pat Owen, Ph.D., Edward Rabinowitz, DM., and Nicolas Pace, MD. Since 1993, the Physician in Residence (PIR) program at Hazelden New York has provided week-long academic and experiential training for over 300 primary care resident physicians. The study listed below examined the use of standardized patients and self-report ratings, with positive results. Using an objective rating scale, two experienced drug counselors observed and evaluated four videotaped interviews carried out by housestaff before and after PIR enrollment. Housestaff also completed self-report ratings on knowledge, attitudes and skills regarding substance abuse. After PIR enrollment, significant improvements were noted in both observer and self-reported ratings. The findings suggest that PIR may be an effective way to educate resident physicians, which can in turn, help them overcome negative attitudes toward substance abusers and improve their rates of referring and treating alcohol and drug dependence.
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