LAUSR

Abstract Background Despite the enormous burden and public health impact, addiction continues to be one of the most under-treated chronic diseases primarily because of the lack of adequately trained work force of medical providers. To address this issue, medical schools should greatly expand education on addiction. Methods: The six-step Kern model of curriculum development was used as a framework to create an addiction curriculum which includes didactic activities, workshop exercises, practice-based learning activities, clinical simulations, and clinical experiences. Results: The authors and other members of the addiction thread committee conducted a comprehensive needs assessment, developed curriculum goals and objectives, and worked with course and clerkship directors to develop and enhance educational strategies and implement a longitudinal curricular thread woven across all four years of medical school curriculum. Conclusion: Development and implementation of a comprehensive addiction curriculum is feasible, and this model could lay the ground work for implementation at other institutions.