花季传媒

At the 2025 ALPHA Health Summit, held from January 28-30th at the Dena'ina Center in downtown Anchorage, we had the privilege of presenting the session 鈥淐ombatting Substance Use Disorders with Academic Detailing.鈥� Led by Gloria Burnett, MS, Director of the Alaska Area Health Education Center (AHEC), and Katy Wright, MPA, Associate Director of Health Professions Continuing Studies at UAA, this session explored the significant role academic detailing can play in addressing substance use disorders, particularly in relation to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).

Expanding Awareness of Academic Detailing
One of the key takeaways from the session was the need to increase awareness of academic detailing. Out of the 38 professionals in attendance, only 6 had previously heard of academic detailing鈥攈ighlighting the need for greater exposure to this evidence-based method of delivering unbiased, one-on-one education to healthcare providers. While this statistic was not surprising, it underscored the critical need to promote this effective method to improve provider education, especially when addressing the opioid crisis.

Academic detailing provides healthcare providers with the most current evidence-based knowledge in a personalized, one-on-one setting, empowering them to confidently support their patients with accurate, up-to-date information, particularly in the area of opioid use disorder treatment.

A Five-Year Initiative for Alaskan Providers
We are excited to share details about a transformative, five-year project funded by the Alaska Department of Health's Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention and the Department of Behavioral Health. The initiative aims to reduce stigma surrounding substance use disorders and enhance provider education on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) throughout Alaska. This program will establish a sustainable academic detailing network statewide, ensuring healthcare professionals are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to deliver effective care. The initiative is set to launch in July 2025, with curriculum development currently underway.

Program Goals and Provider Opportunities
The primary goal of this initiative is to improve access to life-saving care and reduce the stigma associated with opioid use disorder treatments. Healthcare providers will have the opportunity to engage with the project in various ways, including participating in training, hosting academic detailing visits, or even becoming academic detailers themselves. By equipping healthcare providers with the necessary tools and knowledge, this program aims to empower them to combat the opioid crisis more effectively across Alaska.

Looking Ahead
The response to our session at the ALPHA Health Summit was overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing the importance of continuing education on both academic detailing and MOUD. As we look toward the official program launch in 2025, we are excited to continue working on this initiative and are eager to see the positive impact it will have on Alaska鈥檚 healthcare landscape.

Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward with this project, and thank you to all who attended and engaged with us at the ALPHA Health Summit. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against substance use disorders in Alaska.

Photo Credits: Kevin Bennett / UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce

 

 

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