Part of the solution: equipping PA students with best practices in the treatment of SUD - the physician assistant program at BAY path university will develop a comprehensive didactic and clinical…

Part of the solution: equipping PA students with best practices in the treatment of SUD - the physician assistant program at BAY path university will develop a comprehensive didactic and clinical curriculum in substance use disorder (SUD), in collaboration with SUD experts and leveraging faculty expertise and clinical partnerships, that will engage 210 PA trainees over 3 years. Interprofessional development and training delivered to students in other health professions programs and local healthcare providers will disseminate best practices in treating SUD. Key components of the project, titled "part of the solution: equipping PA students with best practices in the treatment of SUD" include refinement of the first-year didactic curriculum to align with samhsa recommendations for SUD education, ensuring that 60 PA students each year (180 students over 3 years) become adept at strategies for SUD identification, assessment, intervention, and treatment, while combating stigma and supporting pathways to recovery. The project will expand opportunities for second-year clinical rotations at SUD treatment facilities to hone clinical skills, focusing on urban and rural communities designated as a mental health hpsa in western massachusetts and north-central connecticut. The project will fund these clinical rotations for 30 students over 3 years (10 students/year) for a total of 210 PA students served by the project. To expand its impact, the project will also collaborate with other academic institutions and healthcare partners across various clinical settings to deliver interprofessional development and training in SUD to practicing healthcare professionals and students in other healthcare professions programs in the region. The part of the solution project will strengthen BAY path university's capacity to help mitigate shortages in healthcare professionals who are trained in the management of SUD. By elevating training standards and fostering interdisciplinary cooperation, the project aims to promote the use of evidence-based best practices within the PA profession and cultivate a proficient healthcare workforce capable of addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals struggling with substance use disorder.