Peer Recovery Coaches in the Emergency Treatment and Care of Individuals with Substance Use Disorder

In this episode, the role of a peer recovery coach is highlighted as a novel approach to supporting individuals with substance use disorder. Dr. Evan Schwarz, MD outlines how he has integrated peer recovery coaches into the acute treatment and care of individuals in the Emergency Department. Peer recovery coach Jessica Gallegos MSW, LCSW shares how she approaches patients in the ED, the role of technology in supporting the coordination of care and the journey that led her to this role.

HOST

Amanda Hays, PharmD., MHA, BCPS, CPHQ, DPLA, FASHP

Director, Medical Affairs, BD

GUESTS

Evan Schwarz, MD, FACEP, FACMT, FASAM

Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine

Medical Toxicology Division Chief & Fellowship Director, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Jessica Gallegos MSW, LCSW

Clinical Case Manager, Division of Infectious Disease, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

The CHIME Opioid Task Force (OTF) was launched in early 2018 with a simple mission: to turn the tide on the opioid epidemic using the knowledge and expertise of the nation’s healthcare IT leaders. While our mission is simple, achieving it is not. Opioid addiction is a complex disease that requires long-term, if not lifetime, care from well-informed clinicians who are supported with easy-to-use and reliable tools.