Education to Address Opioid Use Disorder
Modernizing Opioid Education with AI Virtual Patients
MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENT
Challenge
The opioid epidemic requires clinicians to master complex, emotionally charged conversations. Traditional passive learning (lectures, reading) delivers information but leaves a critical gap in confidence. Knowing the guidelines is not the same as using them with a real patient.
Solution
Part 4 of a REMS-aligned curriculum featured ‘Jeremy Thompson,’ an AI virtual patient. Learners engaged in realistic, open-ended dialogue to practice screening, diagnosis, and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) initiation in a risk-free environment, receiving immediate feedback on their clinical judgment.
390
Learners
FDA
Required
SEE THE DIFFERENCE
Outcomes
Knowledge and confidence improved in parallel, with the most dramatic shifts occurring in high-confidence ratings.
Meet Jeremy Thompson
34-year-old warehouse supervisor presenting with chronic back pain, reporting his medication ‘isn’t lasting the whole month.’
- Assessed rapport building & history gathering
- Tested DSM-5 diagnostic assessment
- Practiced brief intervention & MOUD discussion
Closing Specific Skill Gaps
The simulation targeted three critical areas of OUD care. In every category, learners demonstrated significant improvements in correctly identifying clinical next steps.
Behavioral Intent
35.6% of learners reported they were Likely or Very Likely to offer same-day buprenorphine treatment after the session.
Improvement
DSM-5 Diagnosis
Recognizing criteria for mild OUD (≥2 criteria).
Improvement
Clinical Action
Using motivational interviewing with same-day buprenorphine treatment.
Improvement
Delivered Impact
Behavioral Intent
35.6% of learners reported they were Likely or Very Likely to offer same-day buprenorphine treatment after the session.
Learner Value
51.6% rated the simulation as Very or Extremely Valuable, with another 33.8% rating it Moderately Valuable.
Safe Practice
62.5% of written comments were positive, emphasizing the realism and the safety of practicing difficult conversations.
Why it Matters
Education without practice leaves a gap. This case study shows how AI virtual patients provide a safe place to navigate complex, emotionally charged conversations—bridging the divide between CME requirements and real-world clinical readiness.
Get the Report
Download the comprehensive analysis covering the impact of AI simulation on prescriber competence, confidence, and clinical skills in opioid use disorder care.
- Study methodology and learner demographics (n=390)
- Pre/post data on knowledge and confidence gains
- Analysis of clinical performance by simulation step
- Insights on screening, diagnosis, and MOUD initiation
- Learner sentiment and behavioral intent metrics
- Discussion on bridging the gap between education and practice
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