How Medical Education Reframes Perceptions of Substance Use Disorder: A Study of Evolving Student Attitudes

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Authors

• Eva Neueunschwander, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Medical Student
• Cameron Davidson, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Faculty

Description

According to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2022 about 50 million people had experienced a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year.1 Despite the alarming prevalence of SUD, stigma remains a major barrier to seeking and obtaining high quality treatment. Understanding how medical students view SUD and how perceptions change across their educational journey is essential for improving patient care. While previous studies have investigated SUD stigma among medical students, the effect of study year on attitudes remains largely mixed and unclear.2 This project compares attitudes across educational levels to understand how medical training influences perception and aims to improve SUD curriculum by more effectively targeting medical students in their specific stage of education.

Publication Date

5-7-2026

City

Farmington Hills, MI

Keywords

medical education, substance abuse, substance use disorder

Disciplines

Medical Education | Medicine and Health Sciences | Substance Abuse and Addiction

Recommended Citation

Neuenschwander E, Davidson C. How medical education reframes perceptions of substance use disorder: a study of evolving student attitudes. Presented at 2026 Corewell Health Hospital William Beaumont University Medical Education Week; 2026 May 7; Farmington Hills, MI.

Comments

2026 Medical Education Week at Corewell Health Hospital Farmington Hills, Farmington Hills, MI, May 7, 2026.