Application of opioid analgesia concepts in a third-year pharmacy student skills laboratory on three campuses

J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2014 Mar;28(1):10-8. doi: 10.3109/15360288.2013.873512. Epub 2014 Feb 5.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a skills laboratory exercise focused on principles of opioid analgesia on the knowledge, attitudes, and self-perceived skills of third-year (P3) pharmacy students on three campuses of the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. The study evaluated the effects of a 2-hour skills laboratory exercise focused on technical aspects of opioid analgesia and included three stations: programming a pump to deliver a fentanyl drip/Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RAAS) scoring, using an equianalgesic dosing table, and compounding a patient-controlled analgesia syringe. A 12-item, online survey was distributed 2 weeks prior (pre-intervention) to the analgesia skills laboratory. A 2-hour laboratory was delivered on each campus and the survey was administered again (post-intervention) at the conclusion of the laboratory. One hundred and thirty-five students (93%) completed the pre- and post-intervention surveys. Significant changes (P < .05) between pre- and post-intervention scores were observed in two of five (40%) of the knowledge, all four (100%) of the self-perceived skills, and all three (100%) of the attitude items. Intercampus differences between pre- and post-intervention scores were minor. The authors concluded that skills laboratory exercises can effectively change the attitudes and self-perceived skill level of P3 pharmacy students and reinforce previously acquired knowledge.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid* / therapeutic use
  • Data Collection
  • Education, Pharmacy / methods*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Laboratories*
  • Pain Management / methods
  • Self Concept
  • Students, Pharmacy / psychology*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid