ACCME Highlights (03/29/23)

New resources from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) clarify the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act's implications for accredited continuing education (CE). The measure requires new or renewing DEA licensees to have completed at least eight hours of training on opioid or other substance use disorders (SUDs) and pharmacological management of dental pain as of June 27. SAMHSA's MATE guidance specifies that training can be accessed through multiple formats; satisfied through engagement in prior, current, or future accredited continuing medical education/CE activities; and need not be completed in one session and can be fulfilled with a combination of activities. SAMHSA is using the system of accredited CE providers to manage training implementation. The guidance also recommends central components and content of SUD curricula that accredited providers can apply toward CE programs, including addressing core competencies for SUD diagnosis and treatment; incorporating culturally competent collaboration and clinical practice; Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies; and overcoming barriers for engaging patients into treatment. The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education will partner with SAMHSA on disseminating resources for educators. The guidance also leverages accredited CE providers' current expectations of learning and healthcare outcomes, noting that educational activities should consider learner competence and performance, patient health, and/or community or population health. Finally, SAMHSA recommends that providers relate curricular content to the prevention, recognition, and care of SUD patients, with training elements possibly including categories of substance use disorders, effective treatment planning, and pain management and substance misuse.

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