Discipline Spotlight: Emergency Physicians and First Responders

Review recent substance use and addiction resources, toolkits, courses and more for emergency physicians and first responders.

Education/CME

• ACP Center for Quality: Chronic Pain and Safe Opioid Prescribing – American College of Physicians

Prevention

• First Responders and Disaster Responders Resource Portal – First responders face an increased risk of experiencing substance use disorders or mental illnesses. Visit the portal from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for resources, trainings, and tips.

Treatment

• Use of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Emergency Departments – Resource guide that reviews new and best practices for implementing medication treatment—including a review of existing literature, current gaps in knowledge, and implementation challenges.
• Science to Medicine: Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in the Emergency Medicine Setting – Review the latest science on medication treatment and read about how two physicians have integrated treatment into the Emergency Department.
  • Spotlight on the Get Waivered Campaign
• Initiating Buprenorphine Treatment in the Emergency Department — Review this page for step-by-step information on buprenorphine treatment, resources for the emergency department, discharge instructions, and OUD patient-clinician interaction videos.
  • Questions for Identification of OUD based on the DSM-5
  • A Guide for Patients Beginning Buprenorphine Treatment at Home
  • Videos on Motivating Patients
  • Videos on ED-Initiated Buprenorphine – Heroes in Practice

Opioid Crisis

• Addressing the Opioid Overdose Epidemic in the Emergency Department – Interactive training with strategies for improving patient outcomes by reducing opioid administration and prescribing, diagnosing OUD, and initiating OUD treatment—especially for patients who have experienced an overdose—through interprofessional collaboration.
• Not My Addiction – Watch this award-winning video to learn why and how first responders should focus on compassion and understanding when treating people with OUD.
• Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit – First responders and opioid prescribers can learn more about OUD and opioid overdose prevention with this toolkit from SAMHSA.
• Fentanyls and the Safety of First Responders: Science and Recommendations – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

More Resources

• Visit the NIDAMED homepage for additional CME courses, patient materials, and information on the opioid crisis, screening, prevention, and treatment.