Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
Fall 10-5-2026
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a major public-health concern. In 2024, approximately 48.4 million Americans aged 12 years or older met criteria for a past-year SUD, yet only 12.3% received substance-use treatment.¹ Although addiction medicine education has expanded, undergraduate medical curricula remain variable, and medical students frequently report limited confidence in screening, counseling, and treating patients with SUDs. Traditional didactic instruction provides foundational knowledge but may offer insufficient opportunities to practice patient centered communication, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based treatment. Simulation-based education (including standardized patients) may help bridge this knowledge-to-practice gap by allowing students to apply clinical knowledge, practice communication, and receive structured feedback in a controlled learning environment.
Recommended Citation
Archambault, Patricia and Crabtree, David, "Improving Medical Student Confidence and Preparedness: The Role of Simulation-Based Education in Substance Use Disorder Care" (2026). DO Research Day. 26.
https://digitalcommons.lmunet.edu/doresearch/26
