PCSS-B Goals
Goal #1: Train physicians in the workforce to provide treatment of opioid use disorders.
Working collaboratively, AAAP, AOAAM, and APA offer a variety of opportunities for physicians to obtain training in treatment of substance use disorders and in the use of buprenorphine in treating opioid use disorders. Mentoring is also made available to physicians-in-training and those engaged in clincal practice.
Goal #2: Provide clinical training that emphasizes practical issues in the recognition and treatment of opoid use disorders.
PCSS-B offers training in the treatment of opoid use disorders in local areas presented by physicians who are experienced in prescribing buprenorphine to treat opoid use disorders. Following training, these physician trainers also serve as local mentors to trainees. In addition, presentations on advanced topics in the treatment of opoid use disorders are offered monthly by telemedicine modalities, including telephone conferencing and webinars.
Goal #3: Provide advanced training that addresses more complex issues in the treatment of those with substance use disorders, opioid use disorders, and other mental or medical illnesses.
PCSS-B provides clinical-vignette focused courses that offer continuing medical education credits. The courses are available through online and CD modalities.
Goal #4: Make buprenorphine training widely accessible to physicians through use of multiple training formats and technologies.
The PCSS-B provides several training approaches: Half and Half Courses (3.75 hours of on-your-own CD-based training with 4.25 hours of face-to-face training), webinars, tele-broadcasting/video-conferencing, and live presentations of the full eight-hour course leading to waiver eligibility. PCSS-B also has experienced clinical mentors available for those physicians who are waivered and practicing office-based treatment of opioid use disorders, who who may not have participated in a recent training course and who would like to ask questions about treatment of opioid use disorders as issues or concerns may arise in their practices. Mentors are listed on the PCSS-B website. A specific mentor can be requested or PCSS-B staff will match a physician with a mentor.
