An age-friendly opioid use disorder (OUD) care workshop: applying the 5Ms framework

Over the last two decades, the rate of fatal overdoses among adults 65 years and older has risen exponentially. Older adults are more vulnerable to opioids yet are less likely to have their opioid use disorder (OUD) recognized and treated. The prevalence of geriatric syndromes is higher among older adults with OUD, yet there is limited attention on how improving current OUD treatment for older adults can address their complex care needs. A case-based workshop was presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Society of General Internal Medicine to provide generalists with training, skills, and resources to care for aging adults with OUD through the lens of the Geriatrics 5 Ms framework. After an introductory background, workshop participants engaged in a 5-part mega-case designed to encourage discussion and empower participants to apply each of the 5 Ms to the care of older adults with OUD. Attendees rated the workshop highly in achieved learning objectives, quality, facilitation, and planned incorporation of learned knowledge to teaching, research, patient care, or administration. An interactive case-based workshop on applying the 5 Ms framework to the care of older adults with OUD is feasible, replicable, and may promote age-friendly care for this patient population.