Integrating DATA 2000 waiver training into undergraduate medical education: The time is now

Abstract

Background: Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) significantly reduce morbidity and mortality from opioid use disorder (OUD). To prescribe MOUD, physicians must obtain a DEA waiver through requirements outlined in the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000). We developed an Addiction Medicine curriculum that features DATA 2000 waiver training at the Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine (LCOM). Methods: All third-year medical students completed a virtual DATA 2000 waiver training at the commencement of clinical clerkships. We conducted a curriculum needs assessment followed by pre- and post-training surveys to evaluate MOUD pharmacology knowledge and best prescribing practices. Results: Of LCOM students surveyed, 77.6% reported interest in being waivered to prescribed MOUD for OUD treatment. Third-year medical students demonstrated increases in both MOUD Pharmacology Knowledge from 64.2% to 84.8% (chi-squared = 40.8; p < .001) and MOUD Best Prescribing Practices from 55.9% to 75.2% (chi-squared = 29.9; p < .001). Discussion: Surveys showed the majority of students felt waiver training was relevant to their future practice. An online DATA 2000 waiver training format effectively improved student knowledge of MOUD. Conclusion: This curriculum exposed medical students to DATA 2000 waiver training, MOUD pharmacology and best practices, and increased the number of future physicians eligible to treat OUD using MOUD.

Keywords:

• Addiction medicine
• medical student training
• medications for opioid use disorder
• waiver training
• DATA 2000

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank colleagues at The Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, particularly Kathryn N. Huggett, PhD and Tania Bertsch, MD, for suggesting that we apply for the SAMHSA PCSS-Universities grant to support this work, Charles MacLean, MD, for his expertise in the grant applications process, and the Office of Medical Education and the Teaching Academy staff for working closely with us to integrate the DATA 2000 waiver training into bridge week for the first time.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

ER and SM conceived of the Addiction Medicine curriculum at the Larner College of Medicine. HS is the principle investigator for the grant received from SAMHSA. ER, HS, and SD led the creation of this manuscript with significant contributions from LAH, JD, BT, JB, and SM in data analysis and editing.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [Grant number H79TI02571-01]. The supporting organization had no further role in the study design; in the collection, analysis or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to submit this paper for publication.