Report of the substance misuse in the undergraduate medical curriculum project in England

Abstract

Introduction: This article reports on a Department of Health UK funded project to implement consensus substance misuse teaching in undergraduate curricula in medical schools in England. The aim was to better equip practising doctors of the future to deal with substance misuse issues.

Method: A project coordinator worked with local curriculum coordinators and academic champions in 19 participating medical schools. Substance misuse teaching was mapped using a toolkit outlining national learning outcomes as specified in Tomorrow's Doctors. This enabled a detailed overview of current substance misuse teaching, and identified gaps.

Results: Common areas for all schools requiring further development included iatrogenic addiction, professionalism, fitness to practice, attitudes and issues relating to stigma, child-related issues, and social consequences of substance misuse. Students reported lacking confidence in performing key skills, including substance use history taking, discussing options for patients wishing to reduce or stop use, and recommending appropriate help organisations. This led to medical schools developing new or enhanced learning outcomes and teaching materials.

Discussion: The project has, through national guidance and changes, enhanced the training and education of student doctors, and established a basis for substance misuse teaching that has already influenced the learning of our future doctors.