Methamphetamine Lecture and Interclerkship
Summary
Examines methamphetamine abuse and dependence in the United States. Discusses diagnosis, mechanism of action, and treatment options.
Resource Materials
Details
Developer: Creighton University School of Medicine
Curriculum resource type: Lecture and interclerkship
Method used: Didactic presentation with PowerPoint slides; small groups; panel discussions
Intended audience: Medical students; resident physicians; practicing physicians
Implementation time: 1 hour to present the entire slide set. The interclerkship component can be
offered as half- or full-day courses.
Additional components: Suggested reading, references
Educational objectives:
- Understand the scope of methamphetamine abuse in the United States.
- Diagnose abuse and dependence and learn the differences between the two diagnostic categories.
- Describe the mechanism of action for methamphetamine’s stimulant effects, and review the symptoms for intoxication and withdrawal.
- Understand the methods of abuse and describe the short- and long-term effects of methamphetamine use.
- Understand treatment options (pharmacological and nonpharmacological).
Evaluation tools: Assessment questions and lecture evaluation
Curriculum resource description: This curriculum module contains a PowerPoint presentation that offers an introduction to methamphetamine abuse and dependence in the United States. The PowerPoint slides can be tailored for different audiences, including preclinical and clinical learners. The goals of the lecture are to educate medical students and resident physicians about prevalence, diagnosis, and treatments of methamphetamine abuse and dependence. An interclerkship component is included as an attachment to this curriculum resource. This feature allows facilitators to use some of the lecture material in an interclerkship for students in their third year of medical school, when most have started their clinical education and may encounter patients with methamphetamine-related issues. The interclerkship curriculum provides important information about the significance of methamphetamine abuse and dependence and its effects on the individual and society.
Key words: Drug abuse; drug addiction; substance abuse; methamphetamine abuse; methamphetamine treatment