Purpose: (1) Measure resident regard for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), (2) evaluate factors affecting resident regard for patients with OUD, and (3) characterize the relationship between regard and desire to care for these patients in the future.
Background: An insufficient number of providers exist to treat OUD patients. Further research is needed to assess ongoing barriers to training and desire to care for this patient population throughout medical specialties.
Methods: We electronically administered the Medical Condition Regard Scale (MCRS), an 11-point validated scale, to resident physicians in multiple specialties including Obstetrics and Gynecology. The survey also included demographic, experiential and contextualizing questions that assessed future plans to care for OUD patients in the future.
Results: 146 residents responded. The factor with the highest correlation coefficient with MCRS was future intention to treat (Spearman coefficient P = 0.73.) Other variables had a moderate association with MCRS, including: frequency of seeing patients for follow up (P= 0.31), frequency of seeing patients in remission (P=0.37), haging formed a meaningful connection with a patient with OUD (P = 0.46), frequency of prescribing Suboxone (P = 0.46), having adequate understanding of opioid use treatment options (P = 0.44), and feeling confident and equipped to care for patients with OUD after residency (P = 0.44).
Discussions: Resident regard was directly associated with a desire to care for OUD patients in the future. Tailoring factors in residency education systems and training could potentially increase provider workforce and general regard for patients with OUD.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2021, Student, Resident, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Residency Director, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Professionalism, Systems-Based Practice & Improvement, Practice-Based Learning & Improvement, GME, Public Health, Advocacy, General Ob-Gyn,
Jocelyn Wu, MD, University of New Mexico Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynecology; Rory Aufderheide, MD; Travis Campbell, MD, MBA; Yuko Komesu, MD
