Usability of an Experiential Course to Educate Medical Students in the Proper Use of Opioids in the Treatment of Pain

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) report Epidemic: Responding to America’s Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis recognized the need for improved provider education and training and called for efforts to improve the skills of providers. We improved our online medical student education activity on the topic by adding a mix of case presentations, more instruction to the standardized patient encounter, and a new type of question (Choose Your Own Adventure). We specifically wanted to know if students appreciated the opportunity to practice clinical skills with the standardized patient as part of the learning experience and if they liked the mix of case presentations.

Reference: Tanner T. Bradley; Metcalf Mary P.; Wilhelm Susan E. Usability of an Experiential Course to Educate Medical Students in the Proper Use of Opioids in the Treatment of Pain. 2011 Pain Week; 2011 September 8; Las Vegas, NV.

More info on the authors: Brad Tanner, Mary Metcalf