Primary care and addiction: a case for social leadership

2016-09-07

University of Virginia. School of Medicine

Opiate abuse and addiction in the U.S. population have reached epidemic proportions, with one result being that primary care practices increasingly see patients for whom addiction is the presenting, or exacerbating, problem. But are primary care practitioners actively engaged in treating addiction? Unfortunately, no, says Dr. Hughes Melton, a primary care physician and Virginia's Chief Deputy Commissioner of Public Health and Preparedness. They lack the practical training and helpful mindset to approach addiction, but, also, addiction is more than a medical problem, with multiple stakeholders beyond patient and family, doctor, and clinic.

In this Medical Center Hour, Dr. Melton and two Generalist Scholars--students preparing for careers in primary care--consider what primary care practitioners need in order to care effectively for this urgent population health problem: practical skills and informed attitudes, to be sure, but also the will and nuanced capabilities to be robust social leaders in the community.

A John F. Anderson Memorial Lecture
Co-presented with the Generalist Scholars Program and the Department of Public Health Sciences in observance of Primary Care Week at UVA

Melton, S. Hughes (Speaker); Hashmi, Ahmar (Speaker); Lanka, Vaishnavi (Speaker); Childress, Marcia Day (Moderator); University of Virginia. School of Medicine

Claude Moore Health Sciences Library

Filmed lectures

Primary health care; Substance abuse--United States; Drug addiction--Treatment

Medical Center Hour

Claude Moore Health Sciences Library

English

The speakers in this presentation have given the University of Virginia permission to make it freely accessible online for all audiences to view. To request permission to reproduce, republish, and/or repost this presentation please contact the Historical Collections and Services Department of the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library at the University of Virginia.

1 online resource (1 video file, 61:38 min.) : sound, color