4 minute read
When a Pandemic and an Epidemic Collide
by LISA HOWLEY
Anxiety. Stress. Isolation. Grief.
For far too long, these words have been used to developing effective treatments for both COVID-19 describe the consequences of the epidemic of substance and SUD. The Association of American Medical use disorders that has devastated communities across Colleges, which represents the academic medicine the country. Now, as the COVID-19 pandemic piles community, is committed to supporting all of our on the uncertainty for individuals, families, and members’ efforts to improve the lives of patients and communities, it is also threatening the progress of the health of our nation. people with a substance use disorder (SUD) and putting As an educational psychologist, I have the honor others at risk of developing one. of supporting our constituents
Although we don’t yet know in their efforts to practice the full picture of the pandemic’s medicine, teach, and conduct impact on the opioid epidemic, research. During this pandemic, we do know that in 2018 the I have not only seen the toll it number of people suffering from is taking, but I have also seen a substance use disorder topped firsthand their commitment 20 million and just 11 percent to patient care. The academic of those in need of treatment medicine community has and were able to receive it. Since the continues to step up despite the pandemic began, more than 40 challenges they are facing and states have reported increases those who teach doctors and the in substance-related deaths, next generation of scientists and particularly those related to clinicians are finding innovative illicitly manufactured fentanyl, ways to respond to the epidemic methamphetamine, cocaine, and of addiction amid the pandemic heroin. Lisa Howley of COVID-19.
People are hesitant to seek Although all of our members medical treatment, including for SUD, for fear of catching COVID-19. And for many Since the pandemic began, more than 40 are teaching content related to addiction, we recently awarded grants to nine diverse institutions months during the early days of states have reported in particular— Arizona State the pandemic, while cities and states were enforcing lockdowns, those treatment facilities may not increases in substancerelated deaths. University, Penn State College of Medicine, Stony Brook University, The Robert Larner, have even been open. But no two M.D. College of Medicine at experiences are identical. For the University of Vermont, some with SUD, social distancing may have helped The University of Florida College of Medicine, The keep them away from dangerous substances or harmful University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, influences. But for others, the loneliness of isolation University of Alabama at Birmingham, Vanderbilt could make their situations much worse. The pandemic University Medical Center, and the Zucker School of may be unprecedented, but the consequences of an Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell—to develop tools and economic downturn have been seen before. resources to help advance teaching and learning in
At the frontlines of both the COVID-19 pandemic areas such as pain management and addiction. and the substance use epidemic are academic medical The pandemic has caused these teams to rethink, centers, comprised of medical schools and teaching realign, and reset their goals, each in different ways. hospitals that are caring for patients while also But one of the unanticipated benefits is that these teaching health care professionals and researching and educational innovations, born of the unprecedented
circumstances of COVID-19, can have lasting positive how their innovations will equip tomorrow’s teams effects. For example, education that does not require to provide even more optimal care. However, we also immediate direct patient contact has shifted to remote look forward to seeing related regulatory changes delivery and educators and students have more fully such as the permanent expansion of telehealth services realized the benefits of on-demand and just-in-time and the removal of the X waiver requirement for the learning. In addition, the treatment of addiction. pandemic has called for As we continue increased attention to a broader health care team. Interprofessional learning Those who teach doctors and the next generation of scientists and to face this national epidemic of addiction and a global novel coronavirus to address a public health clinicians are finding innovative pandemic, our academic crisis, such as COVID-19 and the opioid epidemic, has expanded to include ways to respond to the epidemic of addiction amid the pandemic medicine community will continue to serve on the frontline. They will non-traditional members, of COVID-19. do so with continued such as the patient, the conviction to treat their family members, and a patient’s diseases, whether recovery coach. These teams are learning to deliver COVID-19, addiction, or otherwise. And that means care in new ways, such as creating online support they need our support now more than ever. RF groups to providing easier access to medications for addiction through telehealth. Lisa Howley is the Senior Director of Strategic
In the coming months, we look forward to Initiatives and Partnerships at the Association of learning more about the work of these institutions and American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
