Developing a Women’s Health track within addiction medicine fellowship: reflections and inspirations.

Jan 09, 2023

Experts: Jordana Laks,Alexander Y Walley,Sarah M Bagley,Cecily M Barber,Jessie M Gaeta,Linda A Neville,Alyssa F Peterkin,Emily Rosenthal,Kelley A Saia,Zoe M Weinstein,Miriam T H Harris

Women who use drugs face sexism and intersectional stigma that influence their drug use experiences and treatment needs. There is a need to build the capacity of addiction medicine specialists who can deliver gender-responsive services and advance research and policy in women-focused addiction care. We describe the development of a Women’s Health track within an addiction medicine fellowship program and reflect on successes, challenges, and future directions.
The Women’s Health track was developed in collaboration between program leaders in Addiction Medicine and Obstetrics/Gynecology. Implementing the track led to the development of women-focused rotations and continuity clinics, as well as enrichment of women’s health didactic education for all fellows. The fellowship track spurred interdepartmental mentorship and collaboration on research and advocacy projects.
Addiction medicine fellowships can replicate this curriculum model to advance women-focused education, research, and policy. Future curricula should focus on structural sexism in drug use and addiction treatment throughout a woman’s life course.

© 2023. The Author(s).

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ABOUT THE EXPERTS

Jordana Laks,Alexander Y Walley,Sarah M Bagley,Cecily M Barber,Jessie M Gaeta,Linda A Neville,Alyssa F Peterkin,Emily Rosenthal,Kelley A Saia,Zoe M Weinstein,Miriam T H Harris

Jordana Laks

Grayken Center for Addiction, Section of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA, 02118, USA. jordana.laks@bmc.org.

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston, MA, USA. jordana.laks@bmc.org.

Alexander Y Walley

Grayken Center for Addiction, Section of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.

Sarah M Bagley

Grayken Center for Addiction, Section of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.

Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Cecily M Barber

Grayken Center for Addiction, Section of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Jessie M Gaeta

Grayken Center for Addiction, Section of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston, MA, USA.

Linda A Neville

Grayken Center for Addiction, Section of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.

Alyssa F Peterkin

Grayken Center for Addiction, Section of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.

Emily Rosenthal

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Kelley A Saia

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Zoe M Weinstein

Grayken Center for Addiction, Section of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.

Miriam T H Harris

Grayken Center for Addiction, Section of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.