Utilising pharmacy students to extend academic detailing services focused on naloxone and opioid overdose education

Abstract

Background: Academic detailing (AD) visits with community pharmacists can effectively increase naloxone access. Pharmacy students, introduced to AD principles, engage pharmacists in guided conversations on naloxone, expanding access and existing AD services. This report outlines an educational initiative to expand an existing AD service to community-based pharmacies. Methods: Seventy-one first-year pharmacy students attended two virtual AD principles and naloxone training sessions. Students were subsequently required to have a guided conversation with their preceptor on offering naloxone and overdose education and complete an anonymous post-visit survey on their experience, understanding of current practice, and pharmacist-intended behaviour change. Results: Fifty-two self-reported student surveys were assessed. Responses indicated that the following percentages of students believed their preceptor would: (1) start providing opioid overdose education to patients (42%; n=22/52), (2) demonstrate proper use of naloxone to patients at the time of naloxone dispensation (23%; n=12/52), (3) dispense naloxone without a prescription (17%; n=9/52), and (4) keep naloxone in stock (10%; n=5/52). The majority (81%; n=42/52) of students found this experience beneficial, and 69% (n=36/52) indicated they would like to participate in educational outreach again. Conclusion: An innovative pharmacy student initiative allowed an AD service to extend face-to-face outreach to community pharmacists and promote the expansion of naloxone and opioid overdose education.