Workplace prevention of prescription Drug Misuse: Learning from a Psycho-educational Program

Posted by Joel Bennett on Apr 18, 2017

RECENT RESEARCH (April, 2017)

Authors: Joel B. Bennett, Gale M. Lucas, Michael A. Neeper

SUMMARY OF PRESENTATION

This presentation at the 2017 Society for Personality and Social Psychology provided detail on the structure of the intervention and results in three areas. The presentation was titled “Workplace prevention of prescription drug misuse: Learning from a psycho-educational program.”

The program was derived from OWLS previous evidence-based approaches that have been acknowledged as effective by the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Facing Addiction in America (see article here).

SURG

OWLS Acknowledged in SG Report

The intervention was delivered in five phases:

(1) An interactive Jeopardy Game testing knowledge of prescription drugs;

(2) Basic Understanding of the Rx Problem (media attention, healthy alternatives, health consciousness);

(3) Key Topics (at-risk groups, brain health, and policy trends);

(4) Application Scenarios; and

(5) Jeopardy Game.

The core emphasis on Health Consciousness guides participants to (a) know their motives for use and potential misuse of Rx drugs; (b) list the risks and benefits of use; and (c) identify healthy alternatives for addressing pain, energy issues, stress, anxiety, or other drivers of Rx use. Outcomes were assessed in three ways: (1) Pre-post changes in knowledge and attitudes; (2) Perceived personal improvements; and (3) Training utility.

Positive results were obtained in all three outcome areas. For example, the majority felt the training was helpful. All participants gained knowledge. And, most importantly, there was statistically significant improvement in confidence in ability to avoid Rx misuse. While encouraging, these findings need replication in more diverse and at-risk samples and testing in a randomized clinical trial.

For more information or a copy of this poster, please let us know via our contact page.

HC_RX_STUDY_PAGE

Share this post

0 comment
Tags: health consciousness, SPSP

← Older Post Newer Post →

0 comment

Leave a comment ›