Highlights of the Innovation Showcase

Improving Confidence in Treating Opiate Use Disorder (Z.S., L.K.)

Office-based treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone is effective for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Clinical experience in OUD treatment during family medicine residency increases the use of this treatment in future practice,³ so we designed an OUD treatment curriculum incorporating independent reading of the American Family Physician journal article, “Opioid Use Disorder: Medical Treatment Options.”⁴ Residents complete a knowledge assessment after their clinical experience, then repeat the assessment in 3 months to gauge retention. Year 1 knowledge assessment results are encouraging, with 93% and 85% correct responses for the respective assessments. There was no statistical difference between measurements, indicating good knowledge acquisition and retention. Additionally, resident comfort with OUD treatment is assessed through an annual survey. Residents report confidence in their ability to treat OUD and plan to offer this treatment in future practice. Although the resources required for an office-based treatment program for OUD may limit some institutions, health systems and medical education communities should strive to increase treatment capacity in primary care given the profound return on investment for individuals.

Ignite the Spark For a Culture of Safety (E.G., A.W.)

Ensuring that our residents receive robust training in patient safety has been recognized as critical to achieving the Quadruple Aim. Our journey began in 2017 when we were selected by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to participate with 8 other institutions as Pathway Leaders for Excellence in Patient Safety.

Under the guidance of ACGME patient safety (PS) and quality improvement (QI) experts and with the generous collaboration of other pathway leaders, we have created an engaging, effective, and sustainable patient safety model.

Key curricular components include:

Residents on Skis: The Intersection of Wilderness Medicine and National Ski Patrol (A.J.W.)

Developing our Wilderness Medicine Area of Concentration, I knew I needed a robust field experience. National Ski Patrol (NSP) offers multiple avenues for physicians to participate, but I’d need additional liability coverage to have residents ski as physician patrollers, and rotating at a resort clinic wasn’t the teaching environment I had in mind. NSP offers medical professionals an opportunity to challenge themselves with the test for Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Technician certification; residents would then be members of the volunteer patrol, on the same level (medically speaking) as other patrollers. In 2019 we taught our first OEC Challenge Course—comprising an online question bank, one 4-hour skills night (medical school fails to teach you how to crack an oxygen tank), and a test night (a written test and scenarios). Over the last 3 years our pass rate is 100% and we have opened the course to other medical professionals, expanding the depth of medical expertise in our patrol and region. Residents can then take advantage of additional training offered through NSP—avalanche, mountain travel rescue, and on-hill scenarios. Feedback shows a positive impact on wellness and residents are practicing true wilderness medicine in a resource-limited environment. Consider your local volunteer patrol an untapped resource.