A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Opioid Dispensing Competencies in Final-Year Pharm-D Students: A Multicenter Study from Punjab, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND

The opioid crisis continues to be a public health concern worldwide due to the high rates of misuse and associated mortality. Opioid dispensing competencies are critical for pharmacy graduates to promote the rational use of opioids.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the opioids dispensing competencies among the final year Pharm-D students in Punjab, Pakistan.

DESIGN

A multicenter cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A validated survey was used to evaluate 11 competencies related to opioid use from the final year Pharm-D students from diversely located accredited institutes. On a summative scale, correct response to each survey item was worth a score/point. Descriptive statistics was used for categorical variables while independent -test computed group differences.

RESULTS

A total of n = 661 final year Pharm-D students from 28 institutes (8 public and 20 private) completed the survey with an overall response rate of 78.5%. Comparatively, the students who had either completed a community or hospital internship, or studying in the educational institutions located in the provincial capital demonstrated a significant higher competency score. There was no significant difference in the overall mean competency scores based on gender or system of assessment used in the Pharm-D degree programs. Among eleven opioid competencies, students received the lowest scores for "opioid overdose management", "opioid monitoring" and "therapeutic uses of opioids".

CONCLUSION

Pharm-D students in Pakistan require additional training and skills on many of the opioids related competencies to ensure patient's safety in healthcare settings. There is a need to revise the curriculum and teaching methodologies to improve the competencies of Pharm-D students in opioid dispensing.