Opioids and the Workplace Prevention and Response Train-the-Trainer and Leadership Training Mixed Methods Follow-up...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health
• Workplace Safety

Background:

• The opioid crisis poses significant risks in the workplace, necessitating targeted prevention and response strategies.
• Effective training programs are crucial for equipping professionals with the knowledge and tools to address opioid use and its impact.
• The 'Opioids and the Workplace' Prevention and Response (OWPR) initiative developed training tools for both frontline instructors and organizational leaders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the 6-month follow-up outcomes of the national summer 2020 OWPR Train-the-Trainer (TTT) and Leadership training programs.
• To assess the extent to which participants implemented learned strategies in their respective workplaces.
• To identify any barriers, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, on the application of OWPR training.

Main Methods:

• A follow-up survey was administered to participants of the TTT (n=53) and Leadership (n=28) programs approximately 6 months post-training.
• Response rates were 47.2% for TTT (n=25) and 63.2% for Leadership (n=12).
• Survey questions focused on actions taken, obstacles encountered, use of OWPR materials, and pandemic-related impacts.

Main Results:

• Approximately half of TTT respondents reported conducting opioid awareness training, engaging coworkers, and prioritizing self-care.
• Two-fifths of Leadership respondents shared training materials and information.
• A notable portion of trainees indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic hindered their efforts to address opioids in the workplace.

Conclusions:

• The OWPR Train-the-Trainer program effectively enabled participants to plan and deliver opioid awareness training.
• The OWPR Leadership program supported trainees in initiating workplace-level actions and policy implementation.
• The study provides evidence for the positive impact of the OWPR programs on workplace opioid prevention and response efforts.