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Distance Learning to Enhance MCH Substance Abuse Services [DHHS]

Myra Muramoto, MD, MPH

The major goal of this project is to develop three distance learning courses about substance abuse for maternal child health professionals. Substance abuse is a major public health problem directly and indirectly affecting the MCH population.  Alcohol and tobacco are the most common substances of abuse, and those most often encountered by MCH professionals. The goal of the Substance Abuse Distance Learning to Enhance MCH Service (SADLE) Project is to reduce the harm caused by substance abuse in the MCH population by providing distance education addressing the prevention and management of substance abuse and its consequences to current and future leaders in MCH and MCH professionals throughout the Rocky Mountain States and nationally, including individuals in rural and isolated areas. The SADLE distance-learning program will provide MCH professionals with accessible, to up-to-date information on clinical and public health aspects of substance abuse and how to plan, implement and evaluate substance abuse interventions. The SADLE curriculum focuses on alcohol and tobacco as the two substances of abuse with the greatest public health impact. Three courses will be developed (one per year), each course focusing on one segment of the MCH population.  The content of the courses will be (1) targeting prevention and treatment programs for women of child bearing age including pregnant and lactating women, (2) managing the consequences of substance abuse on infants and children, and (3) targeting prevention and treatment programs for adolescents. The project includes rigorous evaluation throughout the development and implementation of the distance education modules.