Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Division of Pharmaceutical, Administrative and Social Sciences, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Subst Abus. 2021;42(4):630-637. doi: 10.1080/08897077.2020.1809605. Epub 2020 Sep 1.
Community pharmacists can play a meaningful role in identification and treatment of substance use disorders (SUD). However, inadequate disease knowledge and negative attitudes are known barriers. The relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and practice of pharmacists regarding persons with SUD has not been evaluated comprehensively in the United States. The objective of the study was to assess knowledge of community pharmacists regarding medications for SUD and evaluate their attitudes, levels of stigma, and clinical practices in SUD. A questionnaire was developed to assess practices, knowledge, screening services, and attitudes toward harm reduction strategies and treatment. A standardized measure of stigma was included along with demographics. A cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia among a non-probability sample of community pharmacists working for a retail pharmacy chain = 910) and a local alumni network ( = 50). Scores were calculated for each factor and descriptive analyses, mean differences (-tests and ANOVA), correlations with demographics and practice characteristics were performed. Linear and ordinal regressions were utilized to predict knowledge, practice, screening, and stigma scores. A total of 134 responses (response rate 13.9%) were collected. On average, the pharmacists were 38 years old, had worked for 15 years, primarily full-time with practice locations in suburban settings. Only 53% reported they received SUD education in pharmacy school. Pharmacists received a mean score of 5.5 and 3.5 out of eight and seven on knowledge and practice scales, respectively. Pharmacists overall had slightly stigmatizing and negative attitudes, with higher stigma significantly related to performing lesser services and considering screenings as important. Number of years worked significantly predicted knowledge and screening. Relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and practices indicate a need for experiential education that includes psychosocial aspects of care with increased opportunities for practice.
社区药剂师可以在识别和治疗物质使用障碍（SUD）方面发挥重要作用。然而，知识不足和负面态度是已知的障碍。在美国，尚未全面评估药剂师对 SUD 患者的知识、态度和实践之间的关系。该研究的目的是评估社区药剂师对 SUD 药物的了解，并评估他们对 SUD 的态度、污名化程度和临床实践。开发了一份问卷，以评估实践、知识、筛查服务以及对减少伤害策略和治疗的态度。包括标准化的污名量表以及人口统计学信息。在宾夕法尼亚州、俄亥俄州和西弗吉尼亚州，对一家零售连锁药店（n = 910）和当地校友网络（n = 50）的非概率样本进行了横断面电子调查。为每个因素计算了分数，并进行了描述性分析、均值差异（t 检验和方差分析）、与人口统计学和实践特征的相关性分析。利用线性和有序回归来预测知识、实践、筛查和污名评分。共收集了 134 份回复（回复率 13.9%）。平均而言，药剂师年龄为 38 岁，工作了 15 年，主要是全职，工作地点在郊区。只有 53%的人报告在药学学校接受过 SUD 教育。药剂师在知识和实践量表上的平均得分为 5.5 和 3.5（满分 8 分和 7 分）。药剂师总体上有轻微的污名化和消极态度，较高的污名与提供较少的服务以及认为筛查很重要显著相关。工作年限与知识和筛查显著相关。知识、态度和实践之间的关系表明需要进行包括心理社会方面的经验教育，并增加实践机会。
