PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2020, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Health Education

Study One Abstract: Factors Influencing Physicians' Perceived Knowledge and Attitudes of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. Introduction: Due to the impact of opioid use disorder and overdose deaths on the U.S. healthcare system, leaders and politicians have provided support and pressure for the creation of opioid specific prescribing guidelines, Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), and numerous additional policies and programs to prevent prescription drug misuse, and addiction. The present study investigated whether the level of physicians' perceived knowledge and utilization of a PDMP differed based on perceived helpfulness of OARRs use and physician characteristics among Ohio physicians. We also assessed whether physician characteristics differed based on continuing education training. Methods: This study included a convenience sample of practicing physicians based in the state of Ohio (N = 151) aged 27-72 years. Physicians were invited to participate via email listservs and social media outlets including LinkedIn and Twitter, by the Ohio Medical Association. Data were collected using Qualtrics, and all results were anonymously recorded. Independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests were conducted. This study was approved by the University of Cincinnati's (UC) Institutional Review Board (#2019-0091). Results: Over half of female (51.0%) and male (53.7%) physicians reported they had an in-depth knowledge level of OARRS. here was a gradual increase in percent of physicians who reported they had an in-depth knowledge level of OARRS by career level with 44.5% of young professionals reporting in-depth knowledge and higher rates among mid-level professionals (51.4%) and advanced professionals (62.8%). Regarding level of perceived knowledge, on the five-question assessment of knowledge on OARRS policy and practice, the mean score was 2.3 out of 5.0. There was no significant difference between level of perceived knowledge and physician career le (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Ashley Merianos Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Keith King Ph.D. (Committee Member); Rebecca Vidourek Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Education

PHD, Kent State University, 2017, College of Public Health

This study evaluates the acceptability of pharmacy based opioid misuse and abuse interventions by surveying practicing pharmacists and patients in treatment for substance use disorders. The survey instrument examines five specific pharmacy-based interventions using a Likert scale to measure acceptability: (1) Pharmacists counseling patients on the risks associated with opioid misuse and abuse, (2) pharmacists referring patients to drug treatment programs within the community, (3) pharmacists utilizing Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) to validate prescriptions, (4) pharmacists providing emergency opioid overdose treatments such as naloxone with opioid prescriptions, and (5) pharmacists providing naloxone without a prescription. The goal of this study is to answer three research questions: which interventions are most acceptable to pharmacists, which interventions are most acceptable to patients, and which interventions produce statistically significant agreement on acceptability when both pharmacist and patient attitudes are compared. These data are used to identify a subset of interventions with high acceptability within and across the two groups. These findings are, in turn, used as an indication of professional and patient receptivity to specific interventions. The interventions with the greatest acceptability within each group and the strongest agreement across groups are identified, and changes to State regulations, organizational policy, and professional training that foster these interventions, as supported by the literature, are proposed.

Committee: Sonia Alemagno PhD (Committee Chair); VanGeest Jonathan PhD (Committee Member); Phillips Lynette PhD (Committee Member); Deric Kenne PhD (Committee Member); Mark James PhD (Other) Subjects: Pharmacy Sciences; Public Health Education; Public Policy