Educational Intervention for Bupropion Abuse Prevention

Bupropion is being abused due to effects that are comparable with methamphetamine and cocaine. Current research indicates several interventions that can prevent prescription medication abuse.

A research study was performed at two healthcare organizations to evaluate whether education on prevention-based interventions increased self-efficacy of healthcare staff in addressing potential and ongoing bupropion abuse and whether the education reduced the rate of bupropion prescribing.

The study sample consisted of 43 staff members who completed a paper-based preeducation survey, attended a 1-hour educational session, and completed a paper-based posteducation survey.

There was a 42% increase in total staff self-efficacy scores along with significant differences between pre-/postsurvey scores (p ≤ .001). After education prescribers answered they plan to change prescribing practices and the number of bupropion prescriptions filled decreased.

Future practice recommendations should include education on bupropion abuse and implementation of prevention interventions to reduce the occurrence of the abuse of bupropion.

The research findings suggested that education on interventions for bupropion abuse prevention improved healthcare staff self-efficacy in the management of potential and ongoing bupropion abuse, influenced prescribing practices of prescribers, and decreased the number of bupropion prescriptions. This research can be used to continue providing education to help prevent further cases of bupropion abuse.