AOCOPM 2023 Midyear Educational Conference-U - Opioid Use Disorder

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The lecture, part of the Kenneth Ryland series, honors Dr. W. Kenneth Ryland, a prominent osteopathic physician known for treating high-profile figures like Nixon and Rockefeller. It focused on the opioid crisis, with Dr. Ben Grant addressing treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Dr. Grant explained the evolution of the crisis from prescription opioids to the current fentanyl-dominated phase. He emphasized that effective treatments like buprenorphine and methadone significantly reduce morbidity and mortality, stressing that their accessibility and societal stigma are major barriers. Counseling, while beneficial, isn't as crucial when appropriate medication is already being administered. Harm reduction initiatives, such as syringe services and naloxone distribution, are essential for reducing overdose fatalities, reflecting a shift from punitive to supportive public health approaches. Dr. Grant highlighted that systemic factors like Medicaid access and addressing social determinants are critical for comprehensive OUD response. These strategies require collective efforts across different societal levels to effectively tackle the crisis.

Keywords

Kenneth Ryland series

opioid crisis

Dr. Ben Grant

opioid use disorder

fentanyl

buprenorphine

methadone

harm reduction

Medicaid access