Work

OUR crisis: Evolution of a third-year medical student opioid epidemic-themed inter-clerkship week to reflect the landscape of pain and addiction care

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: A week-long themed interclerkship curricular experience was designed to reframe THE Opioid Epidemic as "OUR Opioid Epidemic," humanize and normalize opioid use disorder and pain, and motivate a shift in attitudes, knowledge, comfort, and perceived skills. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study with pre- and post-curriculum surveys. SETTING: The curriculum was delivered at a medical school associated with a large health system over 6 academic years. PARTICIPANTS: Third-year medical students who previously received "Evidence-Based Screening Tools" and "Drug Use and the Brief Negotiated Interview" sessions of the longitudinal, spiraling "Addressing Substance Use" curriculum. INTERVENTIONS: Over 55 faculty/facilitators spanning 40 clinical/nonclinical departments developed and delivered the "OUR Opioid Epidemic" themed interclerkship experience. Annual iterations responded to learner and faculty feedback, the ever-changing landscape of substance use, and the evolution of pain care strategies. Learners participated in first-person perspective panels, large group sessions, workshops, and a culminating capstone experience. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pre- and post-session surveys assessed changes in knowledge, attitudes, comfort, and perceived skills. RESULTS: The curriculum was highly rated by students and positively shifted attitudes, knowledge, comfort, and perceived skills around opioid use, pain care, and substance use disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The landscape of substance use and pain is complex and changing. Medical school curricula must thus evolve. Experiential workshops, perspectives of individuals with lived experience, student-developed elements, and a capstone session prepared students to thoughtfully address pain care and substance use. The week served to empower learners to model-up as they continue their professional formation in clinical settings.

Source: Journal of Opioid Management

DOI: 10.5055/jom.1005

Authors: Laura Harrison, Melissa Pawelczak, Mersema T. Abate, Stephen Butkus, Sandeep Kapoor

Institutions: Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Cohen Children's Medical Center, Hofstra University

Language: English

Topic: Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W7221978237

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