The Substance Use Disorder Training Expansion to Advance Multidisciplinary Services in Iowa (SUD-TEAMS-IA) - Substance Use Disorder Training Expansion to Advance Multidisciplinary Services in Iowa (SUD-TEAMS-IA) The University of Iowa Addiction and Recovery Collaborative (UI ARC) within the Department of Psychiatry proposes the SUD-TEAMS-IA project to create, implement, and study an expanded SUD curriculum for various healthcare starting in September 2024, including clinical experiences in healthcare provider shortage areas (HPSA). The funds for this project will provide salary support for current UI ARC staff with expertise in clinical care, education, and evaluation. The goal is to increase the competency of healthcare graduates in the care of people with substance use disorders (SUDs) and improve the treatment of SUDs throughout Iowa. Partnerships will be formed with the UI College of Nursing, UI College of Pharmacy, St. Ambrose and University of Dubuque Physician Assistant Training Programs, and Drake College of Pharmacy. Training will be provided to over 500 healthcare students over the lifetime of the project, targeting around 100-300 students each year for three years. In addition, the project will train 15 local champions in the delivery of SUD curriculum to ensure sustainability of the project. The project goals will be achieved by accomplishing the following objectives: • Implement a longitudinal, sustainable SUD curriculum in nursing, PA, and pharmacy training programs across Iowa beginning July 2025. The curriculum’s effectiveness will be evaluated by changes in knowledge, skills, and attitudes of participants and satisfaction surveys. By completion of the grant project, UI ARC will have created a SAMHSA-approved SUD curriculum appropriate for all healthcare students, especially those serving in HPSA. • Train local champions in the delivery of the SUD curriculum to ensure sustainability of the curriculum after project completion. • All participating students will have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning rotations hosted by community-based SUD treatment programs in HPSA. Current partners in these rotations include UCS Healthcare, UI ARC, Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC), and Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Health. The project will create a research database to inform the effectiveness of the curriculum expansion to various healthcare students and their faculty, including the number of graduates who end up retaining employment in Iowa. This research database and the partnerships formed between the UI ARC, other Iowa training institutions, and community SUD treatment programs will ensure sustainability of the curriculum past project completion.
