Best Practices in Management of Addictive Disorders ECHO
Blended Certificate Program for Psychiatrists
Batches 1-4 Combined Impact
NIMHANS Digital Academy PLUS | Centre for Addiction Medicine
The Addiction Crisis
⚠️ A Growing Global Health Challenge
Substance Use Disorders (SUDs/Addiction) account for 5.4% of the world's annual disease burden
The Situation in India
While tobacco and alcohol have been the major legal substances of abuse in India, there has been a rapid and substantial increase in the use of:
- Marijuana/Cannabis
- Opioids (heroin, prescription opioids)
- Newer drugs of abuse - Methamphetamine, LSD
- Pharmaceuticals (benzodiazepines and other prescription drugs)
The Solution: Evidence-Based Training
This comprehensive certificate program equips psychiatrists with best practices in management of addictive disorders, focusing on patient-centric care and evidence-based treatment approaches for the most common and emerging substance use disorders.
Combined Impact of Batches 1-4
Program Success Metrics Across Batches 1-4
Through Best Practices in Management of Addictive Disorders ECHO Batches 1-4, 178 accredited psychiatrists across India are now equipped with evidence-based approaches to diagnose and treat substance use disorders, providing specialized addiction medicine care to over 65,700 patients struggling with opioids, cannabis, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and other substances of abuse.
About VKN NIMHANS ECHO: Democratizing Knowledge
Virtual Knowledge Network (VKN) + Project ECHO model works on the principle of HUB and SPOKES, a knowledge-sharing network led by an expert multidisciplinary team at NIMHANS.
How It Works:
- Utilizes weekly multipoint video conferencing for virtual tele-ECHO clinics with community healthcare providers
- Focus on "case-based learning" to disseminate best practices, algorithms, guidelines, and clinical wisdom
- "Utilizing technology to leverage scarce resources" - bringing expert knowledge to remote areas
- "Web-based monitoring to measure learning outcomes"
- Remote healthcare providers present cases and seek clarification from NIMHANS experts and peers
- "Guided practice" strengthens confidence and enhances skills
- Patients get best treatment in their own community without traveling
Learning Objectives
On course completion, psychiatrists should be able to:
- Understand the factors leading to substance use disorder by integrating vulnerability related to temperament/personality and environmental factors along with neurobiology
- Use objective rating scales like AUDIT/ASSIST/CIWA/COWS and urine drug screening for drugs of abuse
- Formulate personalized management plans including pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions based on comprehensive assessment
- Implement evidence-based treatments for various substance use disorders
Program Goals
- Becoming equipped to handle patients with addiction-related issues
- Focusing on patient-centric care and increasing knowledge about evidence-based practice for addictive disorders
- Becoming part of an addiction treatment experts network with real-time access to NIMHANS experts
Program Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 months (August 2019 to January 2020) Total: ~24 hours |
| Schedule | Fortnightly on Wednesdays (2nd and 4th) Live tele-ECHO clinics |
| Target Audience | Psychiatrists MD Psychiatry or equivalent qualification |
| Method | Completely ONLINE - Blended Patient-Centric Learning • Real-time: Zoom video conferencing (Face-to-face) • Anytime: Self-paced e-learning (Google Classroom) • Audience Response: Slido polls (#nimhans) |
| Focus | NOT like MOOC - It's a Video-Clinic with Health Providers Primary focus: Case discussions by participants with NIMHANS addiction experts Learning by Doing |
| Program Fees | FREE Commitment to time and participation is a must |
Benefits
- Becoming equipped to handle patients with addiction-related issues
- Patient-centric care and evidence-based practice knowledge
- Expert network access - Join addiction treatment experts network
- Real-time interaction with like-minded clinicians during Wednesday tele-ECHO clinics
- Certificate of completion upon fulfilling course requirements
- Friday one-to-one e-consult facility with addiction experts from NIMHANS
- Accessible by any internet-enabled smartphone, laptop, or PC
- Lifelong access to e-learning materials
Accreditation Criteria
To receive the Certificate of Completion, participants must fulfill ALL of the following criteria:
- Attendance: >60% in Fortnightly Tele-ECHO clinics with >90 minutes video presence per clinic (measured by software)
- Case Presentations: Presentation of 2 or more addiction-related patient case summaries
- Assignments: Score >80% in 2 assignments provided periodically
- Monthly Reports: Submit monthly reports of patients seen (simple form)
- Pre-test and Surveys: Completion of pre-test and periodic surveys
Comprehensive Curriculum
The program covers three major modules with case-based discussions and expert didactics:
Topics: Case record & intake proforma, Case presentation from NIMHANS
Didactic: Objectives, Methods, Evaluation Plan
Expert: Dr. Lekhansh Shukla
2-3 Case discussions
Expert: Dr. Udit Panda
2-3 Case discussions
Expert: Dr. Jayant Mahadevan
2-3 Case discussions
Expert: Dr. Prabhat Chand
2-3 Case discussions
Expert: Dr. Ashwin Mohan
2-3 Case discussions
Assignment 1
Expert: Dr. Sudheendra Huddar
2-3 Case discussions
Expert: Dr. Deepak G
2-3 Case discussions
Expert: Dr. Arun Kandasamy
2-3 Case discussions
Expert: Dr. Diptadhi M
2-3 Case discussions
Assignment 2
Expert: Dr. Venkat Lakshmi Narasimha
2-3 Case discussions
Expert: Dr. Jayant Mahadevan
2-3 Case discussions
2-3 Case discussions per session
Key Topics Covered
Comprehensive Addiction Medicine Training:
Opioid Use Disorders:
- Introduction and pharmacology of opioids
- Opioid intoxication and withdrawal management (COWS scale)
- Naltrexone and other antagonist agents
- Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) - Buprenorphine, Methadone
- Legal and operational aspects of treatment
Cannabis Use Disorders:
- Introduction and pharmacology of cannabis
- Long-term management strategies
- Cannabis-induced psychosis
- Legalization debates and current medical status
Other Substance Use Disorders:
- Benzodiazepine use disorders and withdrawal management (CIWA scale)
- Stimulant use disorders (methamphetamine, cocaine)
- Emerging drugs of abuse (LSD, other psychedelics)
Cross-Cutting Skills:
- Objective rating scales: AUDIT, ASSIST, CIWA, COWS
- Urine drug screening interpretation
- Neurobiology of addiction
- Vulnerability factors: temperament, personality, environment
- Personalized treatment planning
- Pharmacotherapy approaches
- Psychosocial interventions
Hub Team - NIMHANS Addiction Experts
Lead Facilitators and Clinical Experts:
- Dr. Jayant Mahadevan - MD, DM, Assistant Professor, Centre for Addiction Medicine (Lead Facilitator)
- Dr. Lekhansh Shukla - MD, DM, Assistant Professor, Centre for Addiction Medicine (Co-Lead/Clinical Facilitator)
- Dr. Sudheendra Huddar - MD, Senior Resident, Centre for Addiction Medicine (Co-Lead/Clinical Facilitator)
- Dr. Udit Panda - MD, Senior Resident, Centre for Addiction Medicine (Co-Lead/Clinical Facilitator)
- Ms. Silpa V - M.Phil (Co-Lead/Psychosocial Interventions Facilitator)
Contributing Experts:
- Dr. Prabhat Chand - MD (Mentor, Opioid Substitution Therapy)
- Dr. Ashwin Mohan - Legal and Operational Aspects
- Dr. Deepak G - Cannabis Long-term Management
- Dr. Arun Kandasamy - Cannabis-induced Psychosis
- Dr. Diptadhi M - Cannabis Legalization
- Dr. Venkat Lakshmi Narasimha - Benzodiazepine Use Disorders
Support Team:
- Mr. Aurobind - IT Support Analyst
- Ms. Meghana - Communication Specialist
- Ms. Maria - Communication Specialist
- Ms. Likhitha - Communication Expert (WP/Phone: 9480829844)
Contact Information
Communication Expert:
Ms. Likhitha - 9480829844 (WhatsApp/Phone)
Program Coordinator:
Dr. Jayant Mahadevan - MD, DM
Email: ja****@********ns.in
Updates and FAQs:
NIMHANS Digital Academy PLUS
Centre for Addiction Medicine
Department of Psychiatry
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
Transforming Addiction Care Across India
Equipping psychiatrists with evidence-based best practices to diagnose, assess, and treat substance use disorders, bringing expert addiction medicine knowledge to communities across India through the power of tele-ECHO technology.
Over 65,700 patients with substance use disorders have received specialized evidence-based care from our 178 accredited psychiatrists across Batches 1-4, with expertise in managing opioid use disorders, cannabis use disorders, benzodiazepine dependence, stimulant abuse, and emerging drugs, using comprehensive assessment tools, pharmacotherapy, and psychosocial interventions.