Training medical students to address substance use disorders in urban and rural communities.

The UW Medical Student Addiction Research (MedStAR) Program to Address Substance Use and Disorders in Urban and Rural Communities in Five Western States

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-11055708

The UW Medical Student Addiction Research Program helps first-year medical students learn about substance use disorders by involving them in research and mentorship, so they can better understand and support people affected by addiction in their future careers.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11055708 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The UW Medical Student Addiction Research (MedStAR) Program trains first-year medical students in research methods focused on substance use disorders (SUDs). This program spans five western states and aims to encourage students to pursue careers in Addiction Medicine. Students receive mentorship and are involved in research that is informed by the experiences of individuals affected by addiction. The program also emphasizes the importance of implementing evidence-based care for patients with SUDs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals living in urban and rural communities affected by substance use disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who are not affected by substance use disorders may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new generation of physicians equipped to better address and treat substance use disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in training medical students in addiction medicine, indicating that this approach has potential for positive outcomes.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions addictive disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.