Effectiveness of an Opioid Overdose Management and Naloxone Use Training among Medical Students in Georgia
Abstract
Background. The objective of this study is to estimate the effectiveness of an opioid overdose management and naloxone use training on medical student knowledge and attitudes.
Methods. Georgia medical students were trained on opioid overdose management and naloxone use from 2020-2022. The pre-survey included: the Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale (OOKS) naloxone use domain; and the Opioid Overdose Attitudes Scale (OOAS) competence subscale. The post-survey included: the OOKS naloxone use, risk, and signs domains; and the OOAS competence, concerns, and readiness subscales. Statistical tests were used to estimate differences before and after training.
Results. 445 medical students completed the pre-survey, while 205 completed the post-survey. 148 students completed both surveys.
Significant improvements from pre- to post-training were reported for 7 of 11 OOKS naloxone use questions. Students indicated training improved their understanding of naloxone administration (mean score 2.56 and 2.91, respectively; p<0.001). Students had correct knowledge pre-training for 3 of the 4 remaining questions, while knowledge on duration of naloxone effectiveness remained low post training (56.6% answered correctly).
Student attitudes on dealing with opioid overdose significantly improved from pre to post training on all 10 questions. Students indicated they have enough information about managing an overdose (mean score 2.09 and 3.76, respectively; p<0.001).
For OOKS domains and OOAS subscales only used post-training, we observed high student knowledge (total knowledge score: 84.5%) and positive attitudes toward opioid overdose management (total attitude score: 78.1%).
Conclusion. Opioid overdose management and naloxone use training improved medical students’ knowledge and attitudes towards overdose management and naloxone use. Low knowledge on some questions may suggest a need for additional focus on those topics in future trainings. Future studies should assess whether the improvements seen in knowledge and attitudes are long lasting and whether there are statistical differences by sociodemographic factors (not collected).
Keywords. Naloxone, opioid overdose
Keywords
Naloxone, opioid overdose
Effectiveness of an Opioid Overdose Management and Naloxone Use Training among Medical Students in Georgia
Background. The objective of this study is to estimate the effectiveness of an opioid overdose management and naloxone use training on medical student knowledge and attitudes.
Methods. Georgia medical students were trained on opioid overdose management and naloxone use from 2020-2022. The pre-survey included: the Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale (OOKS) naloxone use domain; and the Opioid Overdose Attitudes Scale (OOAS) competence subscale. The post-survey included: the OOKS naloxone use, risk, and signs domains; and the OOAS competence, concerns, and readiness subscales. Statistical tests were used to estimate differences before and after training.
Results. 445 medical students completed the pre-survey, while 205 completed the post-survey. 148 students completed both surveys.
Significant improvements from pre- to post-training were reported for 7 of 11 OOKS naloxone use questions. Students indicated training improved their understanding of naloxone administration (mean score 2.56 and 2.91, respectively; p<0.001). Students had correct knowledge pre-training for 3 of the 4 remaining questions, while knowledge on duration of naloxone effectiveness remained low post training (56.6% answered correctly).
Student attitudes on dealing with opioid overdose significantly improved from pre to post training on all 10 questions. Students indicated they have enough information about managing an overdose (mean score 2.09 and 3.76, respectively; p<0.001).
For OOKS domains and OOAS subscales only used post-training, we observed high student knowledge (total knowledge score: 84.5%) and positive attitudes toward opioid overdose management (total attitude score: 78.1%).
Conclusion. Opioid overdose management and naloxone use training improved medical students’ knowledge and attitudes towards overdose management and naloxone use. Low knowledge on some questions may suggest a need for additional focus on those topics in future trainings. Future studies should assess whether the improvements seen in knowledge and attitudes are long lasting and whether there are statistical differences by sociodemographic factors (not collected).
Keywords. Naloxone, opioid overdose
