|
Greetings,
Welcome to the March edition of the MACS Monthly newsletter!
This month, we will recognize National Physicians Week (March 25–31) and National Doctors’ Day (March 30). These observances will provide the chance to celebrate the dedication, leadership and clinical expertise of our physician colleagues who work tirelessly to navigate the complexities of addiction medicine. At MACS, we see firsthand how their commitment to evidence-based care saves lives.
The impact of this commitment is backed by compelling data. Recent studies on integrated care models demonstrate that when a primary care physician incorporates addiction medicine into their practice, patients are twice as likely to remain actively engaged in their care and participate in digital health outreach. Furthermore, research indicates that providing office-based buprenorphine alongside harm reduction kits reduces drug-related mortality by 33%. By offering these life-saving medications and practical tools directly within the primary care setting, physicians can significantly lower the risk of fatal overdose while increasing a patient’s life expectancy by an average of 2.7 years.
In addition to celebrating our partners across the healthcare system, we want to extend a special thank you to our own MACS consultants. These physicians and experts serve as a collaborative resource, offering the clinical support and specialized guidance that help enhance the incredible work providers are already doing across Maryland. We are proud to see how their shared expertise helps strengthen the care delivered in our communities every day.
March is also Social Work Month, an opportunity to honor the pivotal role social workers play in treating individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). These professionals provide a comprehensive continuum of services, ranging from initial screening and assessment to ongoing case management, individual and family counseling, crisis intervention and advocacy. Their work is essential in empowering individuals on their recovery journeys, supporting families affected by substance use and educating the next generation of social workers specializing in addiction treatment.
According to two studies conducted by the National Association of Social Workers, 71% to 87% of social workers have reported working with clients who have SUDs. These figures reinforce the need for robust resources to support these professionals, and MACS is grateful to all of Maryland's social workers providing essential care.
Healthcare providers can access support in caring for patients with SUDs and chronic pain by scheduling an individualized consultation or registering for an upcoming training with MACS. To learn more, call 1-855-337-MACS (6227), email macs@som.umaryland.edu or visit www.marylandmacs.org.
Explore this newsletter and the tools available on the MACS website for additional information about provider education and treatment resources.
– The MACS Team
| 
