Impact of a communication technique training on rates of naloxone dispensing

The primary objective of this study was to measure the impact of a communication technique training (CTT) using a scenario-based active learning approach for community pharmacists on the dispensing rates of naloxone, in patients receiving opioid prescriptions. The secondary objective of the study was to characterize pharmacists and pharmacy-related factors that may affect the dispensing rates of naloxone.

Multisite prospective pre- and postintervention study in the Western and Southern regions of Chicago from February 2019 to May 2019. Data were collected 3 months preintervention and 3 months postintervention. The dispensing rates of naloxone were compared with pre- and post-training, and potential variables affecting naloxone dispensing rates, such as demographic and workflow factors, were analyzed.

Pharmacists employed at urban and suburban community pharmacy grocery chain (Jewel-Osco, Albertsons Companies) in the Chicago region.

The primary outcome was the dispensing rate of naloxone by pharmacists participating in the study. Additionally, workflow variables associated with naloxone dispensing such as pharmacists' demographic data, time of the day that naloxone was dispensed, and hours of operation for the study locations were evaluated.

A total of 21 pharmacists at 6 unique pharmacies participated in the CTT. Of those participating, 61.9% were women, 38.1% were men, 28.6% of pharmacists had 2 to 5 years of work experience, 23.8% had 6 to 10 years of work experience, 4.8% had 11 to 15 years of work experience, and 42.9% had more than 15 years of work experience. A statistically significant increase in naloxone dispensing rates was identified 3 months postintervention (6 units vs. 24 units; P = 0.004). There were no statistically significant differences seen in the workflow variables associated with naloxone dispensing.

The CTT, an active learning approach for community pharmacists, was an effective reminder tool to aid pharmacists in initiating conversations about naloxone.