The Opioid Patient Education Program
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Date
2018-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ohio State University. Office of Outreach and Engagement
Abstract
The Opioid Patient Education Program (OPEP) was developed by the Ohio State College of Pharmacy in partnership with The Kroger Company for use by pharmacists when dispensing new opioid pain medication therapies. The opioid epidemic is one of America's most pressing public health problems, and the state of Ohio now leads the nation in drug overdose deaths. These deaths include those involving prescription pain medications as well as illicit drugs; but we know that the vast majority of those using illicit drugs, like heroin, first misuse prescription opioids. We believe that purposeful engagement of pharmacists with patients when new opioid medications are dispensed could make a difference in this serious public health problem. OPEP includes written materials to be provided to the patient, a checklist of educational points to be covered by a pharmacist in consultation with the patient, and follow-up phone calls. Pharmacist perceptions of OPEP are being evaluated.
Description
The opioid epidemic is one of America's most pressing public health problems, and the state of Ohio now leads the nation in drug overdose deaths. In fact, deaths due to overdose are the number one cause of accidental death in those less than 50 years of age. These deaths include those involving prescription pain medications as well as illicit drugs; but we know that 75 percent to 80 percent of those using illicit drugs, like heroin and fentanyl first misuse prescription opioids. The Opioid Patient Education Program (OPEP) was developed to engage pharmacists with patients more intensely when new opioid medications are dispensed. By engaging community pharmacists and working together to develop OPEP, the program could make a difference in this serious public health problem. Kroger has partnered with the Ohio State College of Pharmacy to launch this project. OPEP includes written materials to be provided to the patient, a checklist of educational points to be covered by a pharmacist in consultation with the patient, and telephonic follow-ups approximately 14 days after dispensing the medication. The purpose of OPEP is to educate patients with new opioid pain medication therapies about the safe use, storage and disposal of these medications. Additionally, a research project to evaluate and revise OPEP before disseminating it to other pharmacies is currently underway. OPEP was piloted in eight pharmacies in southeast Ohio from April to September 2017. Using results from the evaluation of the project, we will work with our community pharmacy partners to refine OPEP to meet patients' needs and optimize its addition to workflow in the pharmacies.
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Chelsea Pekny, Assistant Professor–Practice, College of Pharmacy, pekny.2@osu.edu (Corresponding Author); Ken Hale, Clinical Professor, College of Pharmacy; Jeff Steckman, Pharmacy Sales Manager, the Kroger Company; Macarius Donneyong, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, College of Public Health, Translational Data Analytics Institute.
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Chelsea Pekny, Assistant Professor–Practice, College of Pharmacy, pekny.2@osu.edu (Corresponding Author); Ken Hale, Clinical Professor, College of Pharmacy; Jeff Steckman, Pharmacy Sales Manager, the Kroger Company; Macarius Donneyong, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, College of Public Health, Translational Data Analytics Institute.
Keywords
medication safety, patient education, pharmacist counseling
Citation
Engaged Scholars, v. 6 (2018).