Project Completion Date: June 30, 2024

Project Contact: Alina Alesu

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) remains a significant health challenge in the Surrey-North Delta region, requiring improved support for Family Physicians, patients, and families to prevent overdoses. Previous efforts by the SND Shared Care OAT Task Force Project highlighted FP engagement as a critical issue. This project aimed to enhance SND FPs' capacity, competence, confidence, and comfort in supporting SUD patients by defining and promoting necessary interventions to reduce overdoses. 

A multi-stakeholder needs assessment involving FPs, specialists, and patients was conducted, revealing:

• SND FP and NPs have varying levels of confidence supporting patients with SUD 
• Awareness of resources is amongst the top barriers faced by community FP/NPs in providing care to patients with SUD 
• SND FP/NPs are interested in SUD-related training and education 

Several project activities were undertaken to address these findings. 

Project activities included:

• A unique education session for FPs titled "Be the Change: Caring for People Using Substances" 
• A newsletter series for FPs sharing SUD-related information and resources curated by the working group
• A CME in partnership with UPCS CPD and HDC titled "The Individual with Underlying Trauma"