Research Results of the Opioidrisk Core Training Program
This page provides a short summary of our summative evaluation results of the Opioidrisk Core Training Program. To see more results, please see our Summative Study Results PDF.
Clinical Tools, Inc. created the Opioidrisk Core Training Program, to train health care providers in how to prescribe opioids safely and only when indicated, minimizing risk of addiction, abuse, diversion, and overdose. The curriculum plan was developed based on a needs analysis of the practice gaps found in the literature and described by target audience members as well as by experts in the field. Between January-March 2011, the summative evaluation of the entire program was completed by 40 physician members of the target audience.
Results
Pre-/Post- Knowledge & Clinical Skills
Mean scores for a knowledge multiple choice exam as well as a separate multiple choice clinical skills quiz showed significant pre- to post-training improvement.
| Average (Pre) | Average (Post) | SD (Pre) | SD (Post) | P value | |
| Knowledge | 55% | 75% | 20.4 | 14.6 | p ≤ 0.0001 |
| Clinical Skills | 57% | 69% | 22.1 | 19.2 | p ≤ 0.005 |
Pre-/Post- Attitude
Mean agreement with ideal attitude statements increased from 4.17 to 4.3 on a 5 point Likert scale, p ≤ 0.05.
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Please rate the following statements on a 5 point Likert scale (1=Strongly Disagree, 5=Strongly Agree) | Agree or Strongly Agree | Average | |
| Pre | Post | Pre | Post | |
| It is possible to prescribe opioids for chronic pain without addiction developing. | 68% | 93% | 3.9 | 4.3 |
| Urine drug testing is an important tool for use with all patients on chronic opioid therapy. | 73% | 83% | 3.9 | 4.2 |
| Treatment agreements are important tools in reducing risk of substance misuse in chronic opioid treatment. | 75% | 88% | 4.2 | 4.3 |
| Etc. | ||||
Behavior
Intention to perform recommended practice behaviors increased for each behavior and was significant for 6/8 behaviors, p ≤ .0058 to 0.03. The three behaviors exhibiting the greatest change were related to conducting urine drug testing, using the least addictive drug possible, and using a written treatment agreement with patients on chronic opioid therapy.
Self Efficacy
The participants exhibited a high level of self efficacy after taking each course. The majority of participants (87% to 97%) agreed or strongly agreed with each self-efficacy statement related to course objectives.
Educational value and Satisfaction
Educational value. The majority of participants agreed that the program improved:
- Knowledge (90%)
- Competence (85%) and
- Performance (70%)
Participant agreement was fairly strong (mean 4.3/5) that the program promoted evidence-based practice and working in interdisciplinary teams and that the program was patient-centered. Participants generally agreed that the program would impact their practice (Mean agreement=4.2/5).
Satisfaction. Means ratings for six satisfaction statements ranged from 4.1 to 4.3 on a 5 point Likert scale.
| Amount of Agreement | Satisfaction Statement | Rate of Agreement/Strong Agreement |
| Statements having the highest agreement | “This program was presented objectively and was free of commercial bias.” | 100% |
| Statement having the lowest agreement | “The material was organized clearly for learning to occur.” | 88% |
These results suggest we have developed a program that will improve clinical practice to minimize the risk of prescription opioid misuse, and thus, patient outcomes.
