Sensitive Issues in Agri-health: Training Agents in Academic Detailing to Engage Farm Families on Rural Health During the Opioid Crisis

Abstract

Farm stress and opioid misuse is common in rural agricultural communities. This study assessed an education program to train Cooperative Extension agents to recognize and engage farm families on topics such as opioid misuse and mental health using academic detailing; a medical and health-based education tool. Although a majority (>75%) had not heard of this method prior, agents agreed they had used similar methods in the past and felt confident they could employ these methods related to academic detailing in the future. Academic detailing should be considered a useful tool in training agents on engaging clients on topics considered sensitive in nature.