Assessing Physician Assistant Student Attitudes and Confidence: The Results of a Substance Use Disorder Curriculum Module Pilot Project

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-24-2025

Institution/Department

Medical Education Publications

Journal Title

The journal of physician assistant education : the official journal of the Physician Assistant Education Association

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Delivery of physician assistant (PA) substance use disorder (SUD) curricula varies across educational programs. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a standardized SUD curriculum and to explore PA student attitudes toward and confidence in treating patients with SUD. METHODS: PA Education Association developed and implemented an 8-hour online SUD module for PA students. Curriculum was designed by a faculty consortium and piloted by students from 20 pilot PA programs (N = 1280, across 2 cohorts). Surveys were administered to all students before starting the curriculum and after completion to collect demographic information, measure attitudes toward SUD, and assess curriculum quality. RESULTS: A total of 1280 PA students completed the precurriculum survey and 819 completed the postcurriculum survey. Attitudes toward diagnosis and treatment of SUD and toward patients with SUD improved after module completion on 9 of 12 Likert survey questions. Three Likert questions that infer a reluctance to treat SUD patients decreased slightly in score from precurriculum to postcurriculum surveys. DISCUSSION: Physician assistant student attitudes and confidence improved regarding diagnosis, treatment, and perception of those with SUD. The pilot modular curriculum was well received by students and supports distribution of curriculum to a larger population of PA students, and additional data will improve generalizability. Additional studies may include the types of SUD curricula currently offered and impact of curriculum sequencing on effectiveness and attitudinal change.

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