Poster 01 – Development of an Opioid Use Disorder Virtual Simulation for Behavioral Health Trainees

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Simulations of telehealth scenarios are an effective method for workforce development and interdisciplinary training. As opioid-related deaths increase, it is imperative to find innovative ways to teach screening, prevention, and treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) for interdisciplinary trainees (Mattson et al., 2017). This poster will outline the development and implementation of a virtual OUD simulation involving interdisciplinary collaboration between psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and psychology graduate trainees, and present feedback survey findings from students. 5 psychology trainees and 8 PMHNP trainees participated in the simulation as part of a university-based interdisciplinary program in integrated behavioral health. The simulation included 5 visits with a standardized patient actor with lived experience of OUD. 2 PMHNP students participated in each visit. One played the role of a newly licensed PMHNP working on-site at a rural FQHC that does not yet have a DATA 2000 waiver, and the other was a licensed PMHNP in a remote location that has a DATA 2000 waiver and can prescribe buprenorphine. One psychology student participated in each visit and played the role of a psychologist assisting with behavioral health change and motivation. The simulation included peer moderators and faculty coaching in real time. 88% of trainees reported increases in their comfort with OUD management and 75% of students reported increases in their knowledge of OUD management after the simulation. Additionally, 50% of trainees reported increases in their comfort with telehealth after the simulation. Students especially appreciated the organization of the simulation and the opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration. The development of and feedback from this pilot training simulation suggests feasibility and satisfaction. The simulation helped trainees increase their knowledge and comfort of OUD management, provided opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, and was successfully adapted to a virtual format.