Screening for Substance Use Disorders in Gynecologic Oncology: A Quality Improvement Project

Strategic Insights -

A study published in the Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology has highlighted the importance of screening for substance use disorders (SUDs) in women with gynecologic cancers. Researchers at Duke University School of Nursing implemented a quality improvement project to screen patients for SUDs using the Revised Opioid Risk Tool (ORT-OUD) and found that 9.7% of patients screened were identified as high risk for SUDs, with 76.9% of those patients accepting a referral to addiction psychiatry. The study also found that 100% of advanced practice providers (APPs) reported the ORT-OUD implementation as feasible, but challenges in the screening process were identified, highlighting the need for patient education and communication strategies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to provide a referral to addiction psychiatry in a minimum of 80% of patients who screened as high risk for SUDs and to demonstrate the feasibility of ORT-OUD implementation in clinical practice, with at least 75% of APPs reporting it as feasible.
  • Of 134 patients screened, 9.7% were identified as high risk for SUDs, and of those patients, 76.9% accepted a referral to addiction psychiatry.
  • 100% of APPs reported the ORT-OUD implementation as feasible, but challenges in the screening process were identified, including the need for patient education and communication strategies.
  • The study concluded that screening for SUDs is key in gynecologic oncology, and challenges in the screening process highlight the importance of patient education and communication strategies.
  • The study was conducted over a 3-month period and involved all patients aged 18 years or older who consented and were on the APPs' schedules during the project implementation period.

Statistics:

  • 131 patients were screened for SUDs using the Revised Opioid Risk Tool (ORT-OUD) (Source: Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology).
  • 9.7% of patients screened were identified as high risk for SUDs (Source: Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology).
  • 76.9% of patients who were identified as high risk for SUDs accepted a referral to addiction psychiatry (Source: Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology).
  • 100% of APPs reported the ORT-OUD implementation as feasible (Source: Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology).

Sources:

  • Women With Gynecologic Cancers: Screening for Substance Use Disorders Is Key. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, 2025;16(5):173-178.
  • NewsRx. Data on Gynecologic Cancer Described by Researchers at Duke University School of Nursing (Women With Gynecologic Cancers: Screening for Substance Use Disorders Is Key). OBGYN & Reproduction Week. October 13, 2025; p 176.