Evaluation of an Online Residency Training in Tobacco Use Disorder.

Background And Objectives: Despite the overwhelming need for tobacco use disorder (TUD) treatment in behavioral health settings, few models have emerged for training psychiatry residents. One barrier may be a lack of curricula or faculty expertize in this area. The goal of this project was to develop and evaluate a 3 hour online webinar-based course for teaching psychiatry residents about TUD.

Methods: Residents from 42 participating general psychiatry residency programs were emailed a unique link to course materials. Participation was voluntary.

Results: Two-hundred and seven residents completed the pretest measuring baseline knowledge and 199 completed the survey measuring attitudes toward treatment of tobacco use. Mean pretest scores were 53.0% correct (SD 19.6), showing low levels of baseline knowledge. Pretest knowledge scores differed by residency year, suggesting no gain in knowledge during residency training. About 80% of participants completed the entire course and posttest evaluations. Paired t tests for 150 individuals who completed both a pretest and posttest indicated a significant increase in knowledge, with a mean gain in score of 35 points.

Discussion And Conclusions: Many residents reported feeling not well prepared to treat TUD from prior education. The vast majority (98%) felt the program enhanced their professional experience somewhat or substantially or would recommend the program to others (82%).

Scientific Significance: Online training for residents is a viable option to address knowledge deficits in TUD. (Am J Addict 2019;28:277-284).