Internal Medicine Resident Perceptions of Patients with Substance Use Disorder After Attending a Mutual Support Group Meeting

Abstract

Background: Mutual support groups (MSGs) are support systems for patients with substance use disorders (SUDs), yet medical residents lack awareness in the role MSGs play in addiction treatment. Aim: We developed an educational intervention to expose residents to MSGs and improve attitudes toward patients with SUD. Setting: The study took place from October 2017 to March 2018 within a large academic medical center. Participants: First- to third-year internal medicine residents participated. Program Description: Residents attended a MSG meeting. They completed surveys pre- and post-meeting and attended a focus group debrief session. Focus group transcripts were coded and thematically analyzed. Program Evaluation: Sixty-eight residents participated in the curriculum, 54 attended the focus group and 47 completed the pre- and post-survey. Qualitative themes included (1) appreciation for the sense of community at meetings, (2) improved perspective taking of patients with SUDs, (3) concern regarding religion, and (4) improved confidence in MSG referrals. Post-intervention, residents had more positive attitudes toward patients with SUD (p < 0.05 for 9 of 14 questions) and toward MSGs (p < 0.05 for 2 of 4 questions). Discussion: Implementing an educational intervention on MSGs gives residents an experience that impacts attitudes toward patients with SUD and confidence with MSG referrals.