Addiction medicine--training for general practice registrars.
BACKGROUND
Illicit drug use is a significant problem within Australia. However, GPs are reluctant to treat these problems due to a perceived lack of knowledge and confidence.


METHODS
All advanced general practice registrars training through the Victorian Metropolitan Alliance in 2004 attended a 1 day pilot addiction medicine workshop, followed by completion of a questionnaire to assess the acceptability of the training and its impact on their knowledge and confidence.


RESULTS
Forty-six general practice registrars attended the workshops with all but one (98%) completing the postworkshop questionnaire. More than 90% of registrars agreed that the material presented was relevant to their work and that they felt more confident dealing with addiction issues in practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Addiction medicine training is relevant to the work of doctors training to become GPs and can increase knowledge and confidence. More extensive research is needed to assess whether this increase in knowledge and confidence is sustained over time and is translated into practice.
Jansen
Carreen
C
Joint University Centre for Education and Training , University of Melbourne, Victoria.
Grinzi
Paul
P
Monheit
Benny
B
Parker
Rhian
R
D001315:Australia; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014739:Victoria