title: Evaluation of a combined online and in person training in the use of buprenorphine.
abstract: To evaluate buprenorphine training methodology, we surveyed physicians who had completed a combined online and in person buprenorphine curriculum. Of 53/70 (76%) survey respondents, 57% were psychiatrists and 40% generalists. On a scale of 1 (very poor) to 7 (superlative), the overall training rated a mean of 5.8. The online course (5.0) rated lower than in person training components (p < .001) except for material that addressed the logistics of office practice. The in person patient interview received the highest rating (mean 6.3, p < .001). The 67% of physicians who intended to prescribe buprenorphine after the training were more likely than hesitant physicians to agree that the course provided enough information (p < .05) and that telephone access to experienced providers would improve their confidence (p < .05). Physicians hesitant to prescribe cited lack of experience as the main barrier (41%), with 24% concerned about induction difficulty and reimbursement. Overall, physicians preferred in person instruction and may benefit from additional experiential training and support after curriculum participation.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeon and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA. eg2009@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Erik W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Gunderson
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Fiellin
authors.forename: Frances R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Lynn E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Herbert D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Kleber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004501:Education, Medical; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D020407:Internet; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D002047:Buprenorphine