Clinical Tools, Inc., in collaboration with the UPMC Health System, will create and evaluate internet-based education for physicians, residents, and medical students interested In the topic of opiate addiction. Our goal is to increase accurate recognition and treatment of opiate addiction through education of physicians and physicians-in-training. The courses will use clinical scenarios and multimedia presentations to provide a low cost distance learning opportunity that is available 2~hours a day, seven days a week. In Phase I we will create design specifications for a suite of courses related to opiate addiction based on the results from the 1997 NIH Consensus Development Conference on Effective Medical Treatment of Heroin Addiction. We will demonstrate our ability to create internet-based courses by developing a single course which is an overview of opiate addiction. We will evaluate the effect of the course on physicians' knowledge, attitude, behavior and satisfaction using assessment forms developed in Phase I. In Phase II we will create and evaluate the full suite of courses. Phase III work will involve modifying and expanding the courses to teach a full range of health professionals.
Quality continuing education is essential for health care providers. Providers and their organizations will request easy to use, inexpensive and engaging courses that help them detect opiate addiction and provide cost- efficient, effective treatment.
