Opioid Use Disorder Curricular Content in US-Based Doctor of Pharmacy Programs

• Published in: American journal of pharmaceutical education 2023-06, Vol.87 (6), p.100061-100061, Article 100061
• Main Authors: Nichols, Molly A., Riley, Elizabeth G., Chao, Alexander S., Sales, Carmina G., Miller, Monica L., Curran, Geoffrey M., Ott, Carol A., Snyder, Margie E., Hudmon, Karen Suchanek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analgesics, Opioid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Curriculum; Education; Education, Pharmacy; Humans; Opioid use disorder; Opioid-Related Disorders; Pharmacy
• ISSN: 0002-9459; 1553-6467
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpe.2023.100061

To characterize the instructional settings, delivery methods, and assessment methods of opioid use disorder (OUD) content in Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs; assess faculty perceptions of OUD content; and assess faculty perceptions of a shared OUD curriculum. This national, cross-sectional, descriptive survey study was designed to characterize OUD content, faculty perceptions, and faculty and institutional demographics. A contact list was developed for accredited, US-based PharmD programs with publicly-accessible online faculty directories (n = 137). Recruitment and telephone survey administration occurred between August and December 2021. Descriptive statistics were computed for all items. Open-ended items were reviewed to identify common themes. A faculty member from 67 (48.9%) of 137 institutions contacted completed the survey. All programs incorporated OUD content into required coursework. Didactic lectures were the most common delivery method (98.5%). Programs delivered a median of 7.0 h (range, 1.5–33.0) of OUD content in required coursework, with 85.1% achieving the 4-hour minimum for substance use disorder-related content recommended by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Just over half (56.8%) of faculty agreed or strongly agreed that their students were adequately prepared to provide opioid interventions; however, 50.0% or fewer perceived topics such as prescription interventions, screening and assessment interventions, resource referral interventions, and stigma to be covered adequately. Almost all (97.0%) indicated moderate, high, or extremely high interest in a shared OUD curriculum. Enhanced OUD education is needed in PharmD programs. A shared OUD curriculum was of interest to faculty and should be explored as a potentially viable solution for addressing this need.