Preparing student pharmacists to identify opioid misuse, prevent overdose and prescribe naloxone

Background and Purpose: All 50 states have implemented policies to improve access to naloxone through community pharmacies. Many states require naloxone-based training for pharmacists before participating in these activities. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an opioid misuse and overdose training program on students' knowledge, self-efficacy, and value of pharmacists' role in preventing overdose. Educational Activity and Setting: The training program was implemented with third-year professional pharmacy students. Students participated in a 50-min lecture followed by a two-hour hands-on laboratory activity. Students took a pre-survey immediately before the lecture and a post-survey immediately following the laboratory activity. Findings: Seventy students completed the pre- and post-surveys. Students showed a significant (p < 0.05) gain in self-efficacy and value after completing the training program, and a significant gain in knowledge from six of the eight related survey items. There was a significant correlation between students' self-efficacy and perceived value of the pharmacists' role in preventing opioid overdose. Summary: A training program implemented for third-year pharmacy students increases students' knowledge, self-efficacy, and perceived value. Specifically, the strong correlation seen between self-efficacy and perceived value after completing the training program is important to note as we prepare future pharmacists for their role in fighting the opioid epidemic.