Even with teen opioid overdose deaths soaring, a new study finds most pediatricians aren't prepared to treat young patients struggling with addiction. The nationwide survey was conducted by researchers at Mass General for Children and Yale School of Medicine. Of those pediatricians surveyed, 48% said they felt prepared to counsel teen patients struggling with opioid use. That's despite the fact nearly all of those surveyed believe it's their responsibility to do so. And, even though 24% said they'd diagnosed Opioid Use Disorder in a young patient, just 5% said they had prescribed any medication considered the standard of care for the disorder. Dr. Scott Hadland, an addiction specialist at Mass General for Children and the lead author on the study, said increasing training is critical when it comes to bridging this gap. That includes starting opioid use education in medical school and continuing it throughout a pediatrician's career, he said. Hadland also stressed that correcting the situation is vital to protect our kids. "It's so important because sometimes the hook, the thing that makes a teenager want to come back and talk to you more is not actually about their drug use; it's about something else," he said. "For example, I might be caring for a teenager who's struggling with acne and also struggling with opioids and they may not be ready to talk to me about their opioid use, but I can help address their acne and that gives me an opportunity to continuously engage them and work at that substance use with them."The survey is published in JAMA Pediatrics.

Even with teen opioid overdose deaths soaring, a new study finds most pediatricians aren't prepared to treat young patients struggling with addiction.

The nationwide survey was conducted by researchers at Mass General for Children and Yale School of Medicine.

Of those pediatricians surveyed, 48% said they felt prepared to counsel teen patients struggling with opioid use. That's despite the fact nearly all of those surveyed believe it's their responsibility to do so.

And, even though 24% said they'd diagnosed Opioid Use Disorder in a young patient, just 5% said they had prescribed any medication considered the standard of care for the disorder.

Dr. Scott Hadland, an addiction specialist at Mass General for Children and the lead author on the study, said increasing training is critical when it comes to bridging this gap. That includes starting opioid use education in medical school and continuing it throughout a pediatrician's career, he said.

Hadland also stressed that correcting the situation is vital to protect our kids.

"It's so important because sometimes the hook, the thing that makes a teenager want to come back and talk to you more is not actually about their drug use; it's about something else," he said. "For example, I might be caring for a teenager who's struggling with acne and also struggling with opioids and they may not be ready to talk to me about their opioid use, but I can help address their acne and that gives me an opportunity to continuously engage them and work at that substance use with them."

The survey is published in JAMA Pediatrics.

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Most pediatricians aren't prepared to handle teen opioid use, study says - WCVB Boston