Findings of a survey about drug and alcohol abuse education are summarized and contrasted with 5 years earlier. Notable improvements were found, reflected in required teaching hours, percentage of total required hours, elective courses, and number of affiliated clinical programs. The effect of a career teacher is also evaluated. (Author/MSE)

Describes a test, entitled Understanding Alcoholism, intended to serve as an educational or measurement instrument (or both) for use in the training of physicians. The test directly exposes many controversial aspects of alcoholism to the student at a time when his attitudes toward this disorder are being shaped. (Authors/JT)

Physicians are likely to encounter a wide gamut of disorders related to drug and alcohol abuse and will need specialized knowledge and skills to treat the affected population effectively. The development and implementation of a program to meet these needs at the Medical College of Virginia is described. (MLW)

A review of literature on attitudes toward alcoholism, measurement of increased knowledge about alcoholism, the status of training in alcoholism, descriptions of alcoholism training programs, and methodological approaches to assessing such programs is presented. The focus of training, it is argued, should be on experiential/clinical approaches.…

Medical students who achieve sobriety are confronted with generally hostile reactions from directors of residency training programs. A survey of policies and attitudes of program directors suggests that there is a need for them to acknowledge that favorable outcomes are provided by treatment of alcohol-dependent medical students. (Author/MLW)

A survey of residents at five training hospitals concerning the variables affecting physicians' practice behavior in treating alcoholism supported the view that alcohol-related training and experience would influence practice behavior more than attitudes or knowledge. (MSE)

A survey of several hundred internists, surgeons, and psychiatrists concerning their attitudes toward female and male alcoholics, alcoholism, the adequacy of their education about alcoholism, methods of handling alcoholics, and desire to learn about alcoholism is reported. Implications for continuing professional education are discussed. (MSE)

It is important that medical residents be able to diagnose alcoholism prior to end-stage disease and organ damage. To assess their diagnostic ability, a survey was conducted of patients from the Johns Hopkins Hospital. The results demonstrated an underdiagnosis of alcoholism. (Author/MLW)

A weekend program places medical students under supervision in close, intense contact with drug and alcohol abusers and strongly reinforces basic sciences and clinical instruction. Student reaction has been very positive. The program requires no new resources and is cost-effective. (Author/MSE)

An institution-wide program for residents impaired by alcohol, drugs, or emotional problems at the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals is described. The goal of the program was to help impaired house staff to continue their training in a nonpunitive environment. (Author/MLW)

A course in the early detection and outpatient management of alcoholism for medical residents is discussed. Unlike other courses on alcoholism that have emphasized changes in physicians' attitudes, this course was designed to promote changes in residents' practice behavior and to foster the development of necessary clinical skills. (MLW)

An overview of substance-abuse education in U.S. medical schools is presented, and three current programs are described. Goals for the future should include some attempt to modify medical schools and hospitals, where patterns leading to physician impairment may develop. (Author/MLW)

The Week-end Intervention Program (WIP) used by Wright State University School of Medicine, which assesses the alcohol problems of those convicted of offenses such as drunk driving and then assists in finding treatment, is described. The impact of the program in educating medical students about alcoholism is discussed. (MLW)

Research literature dealing with physicians' attitudes toward alcoholism, reasons for their feelings, and attempts to change them through teaching is reviewed. It is suggested that, due to the limited time in the medical school curriculum, emphasis should be on physician attitudes. A Yale-VA Medical Center course on alcoholism is described.…