Exploring the Impact of Brief Training on Student Pharmacists’ Naloxone Communication Skills

It is unknown whether video or written materials are more effective at improving naloxone communication skills among pharmacists. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted that randomized student pharmacists (N=31) to receive training about the use of naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses either by video (experimental) or written materials (control). Primary outcomes were change in: (1) perceived barriers to dispensing naloxone, (2) naloxone communication self-efficacy, (3) naloxone knowledge, and (4) naloxone communication. Naloxone communication was assessed via two simulated patient interactions. Two blinded coders used an observation guide to assess students’ naloxone communication. Linear regressions were used to evaluate change in outcomes measures. For the entire sample, naloxone knowledge and self-efficacy to communicate about naloxone increased and barriers to dispensing naloxone decreased (all p-values < 0.001). Additionally, communication skills improved significantly (p < 0.001) for the entire sample. Students were less likely to use the word ‘overdose’ during their post-training simulated patient encounter. In unadjusted analyses, students with video resources reported significantly higher self-efficacy post-training than the control group (p = 0.047). However, analyses that controlled for demographic characteristics and baseline barriers, knowledge, self-efficacy, or communication levels, found that training material type was not a significant predictor of change in any outcome.This pilot study revealed that brief naloxone training can improve students’ knowledge, self-efficacy, and communication. Given the small sample, results are inconclusive regarding impact of training type on outcomes. A larger trial is needed to evaluate different training materials’ effects on student pharmacists’ naloxone communication and knowledge.Doctor of Pharmac