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Phillips S, Budesa Z, Smith R, Wood C, Winograd R. Longitudinal Assessment of Emergency Responders' Attitudes Toward People Who Overdose and Naloxone Following an Overdose Education Training. Subst Use Addctn J 2024:29767342241241401. [PMID: 38600798 DOI: 10.1177/29767342241241401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In addition to teaching overdose recognition and response, overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) trainings for emergency responders aim to improve trainee attitudes toward people who use drugs and toward naloxone. This study examines the training effectiveness long term, as well as the extent to which improvements are dependent on profession type or recent experience administering naloxone. METHODS A total of 774 emergency responders, consisting of law enforcement officers (LEOs) (n = 624, 81%) and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel (n = 150, 19%), attended OEND trainings and completed surveys immediately prior to ("pre") and following ("post") the training, as well as 6 months later ("follow-up"). Survey items assessed attitudes toward people who have overdosed, naloxone-related risk compensation (ie, "enabling") beliefs, and whether participants had administered naloxone since attending the training. Multiple regression and estimated marginal means were used to evaluate changes in scores. RESULTS Emergency responders showed improved attitudes (pre = 2.60, follow-up = 2.45, P < .001) and risk compensation beliefs (pre = 2.97, follow-up = 2.67, P < .001) 6 months following the training. Follow-up scores differed by profession, with LEOs endorsing worse attitudes (difference = 0.55, P = .013) and more risk compensation beliefs (difference = 0.67, P = .014) than EMS. In addition, having recently administered naloxone predicted more negative attitudes (EMS: difference = 0.55, P = .01; LEO: difference = 0.54, P = .004) and risk compensation beliefs (EMS = 0.73, P = .006; LEO = 0.69, P = .002) at follow-up. CONCLUSION Six months after an OEND training, emergency responders' attitudes toward people who overdose, and their risk compensation beliefs remained improved. However, LEOs had more negative follow-up attitudes and beliefs compared to EMS. Emergency responders who had administered naloxone had worse attitudes and beliefs at follow-up than those who had not. Of note, our sample evidenced sizable attrition between pre and follow-up assessments, leaving room for selection bias. Future studies should investigate how to mitigate negative effects of administering naloxone on attitudes toward those who overdose, and belief that naloxone is "enabling."
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Phillips
- University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Zach Budesa
- University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ryan Smith
- University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Claire Wood
- University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rachel Winograd
- University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Siddiqui ST, La Manna A, Connors E, Smith R, Vance K, Budesa Z, Goulka J, Beletsky L, Wood CA, Marotta P, Winograd RP. An evaluation of first responders' intention to refer to post-overdose services following SHIELD training. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:39. [PMID: 38351046 PMCID: PMC10863209 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-00957-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND First responders [law enforcement officers (LEO) and Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS)] can play a vital prevention role, connecting overdose survivors to treatment and recovery services. This study was conducted to examine the effect of occupational safety and harm reduction training on first responders' intention to refer overdose survivors to treatment, syringe service, naloxone distribution, social support, and care-coordination services, and whether those intentions differed by first responder profession. METHODS First responders in Missouri were trained using the Safety and Health Integration in the Enforcement of Laws on Drugs (SHIELD) model. Trainees' intent to refer (ITR) overdose survivors to prevention and supportive services was assessed pre- and post-training (1-5 scale). A mixed model analysis was conducted to assess change in mean ITR scores between pre- and post-training, and between profession type, while adjusting for random effects between individual trainees and baseline characteristics. RESULTS Between December 2020 and January 2023, 742 first responders completed pre- and post-training surveys. SHIELD training was associated with higher first responders' intentions to refer, with ITR to naloxone distribution (1.83-3.88) and syringe exchange (1.73-3.69) demonstrating the greatest changes, and drug treatment (2.94-3.95) having the least change. There was a significant increase in ITR score from pre- to post-test (β = 2.15; 95% CI 1.99, 2.30), and LEO-relative to Fire/EMS-had a higher score at pre-test (0.509; 95% CI 0.367, 0.651) but a lower score at post-test (0.148; 95% CI - 0.004, 0.300). CONCLUSION Training bundling occupational safety with harm reduction content is immediately effective at increasing first responders' intention to connect overdose survivors to community substance use services. When provided with the rationale and instruction to execute referrals, first responders are amenable, and their positive response highlights the opportunity for growth in increasing referral partnerships and collaborations. Further research is necessary to assess the extent to which ITR translates to referral behavior in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saad T Siddiqui
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Blvd, 206 Benton Hall, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA.
| | - Anna La Manna
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Blvd, 206 Benton Hall, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
| | - Elizabeth Connors
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Blvd, 206 Benton Hall, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
| | - Ryan Smith
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Blvd, 206 Benton Hall, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
| | - Kyle Vance
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Blvd, 206 Benton Hall, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
| | - Zach Budesa
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Blvd, 206 Benton Hall, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
| | - Jeremiah Goulka
- SHIELD Training Initiative, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Leo Beletsky
- SHIELD Training Initiative, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Claire A Wood
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Blvd, 206 Benton Hall, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
| | - Phillip Marotta
- Department of Social Work, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA
| | - Rachel P Winograd
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1 University Blvd, 206 Benton Hall, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
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Winograd R, Budesa Z, Banks D, Carpenter R, Wood CA, Duello A, Thater P, Smith C. Outcomes of State Targeted/Opioid Response Grants and the Medication First Approach: Evidence of Racial Inequities in Improved Treatment Access and Retention. Subst Abus 2023; 44:184-195. [PMID: 37702074 PMCID: PMC10591854 DOI: 10.1177/08897077231186213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since 2017, Missouri has increased access to medication for opioid use disorder (OUD) within the State's publicly-funded substance use specialty treatment system through a "Medication First" approach. Results from a statewide assessment of the first year of State Targeted Response implementation showed increases and improvements in overall treatment admissions, medication utilization, and treatment retention. The current study, which focuses on the St. Louis region, the epicenter of Missouri's overdose crisis, examines whether improvements were experienced equally among Black and White clients. METHODS This study is a retrospective analysis using state-level billing records for individuals with OUD receiving services through publicly-funded substance use treatment programs between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2019, with claimed services updated through November 1, 2020. Comparisons across time periods, treatment groups, and Black and White clients were assessed using chi-square tests of independence and multivariate negative binomial regressions. RESULTS White individuals in St. Louis experienced larger increases in treatment admissions and utilization of medications for OUD than Black individuals, and Black clients were retained in treatment for shorter lengths of time than White clients. CONCLUSION In Missouri, rates of drug overdose deaths are more than three times higher for Black people than White people. Racial inequities in OUD treatment utilization and retention must be intentionally targeted and corrected as one component of reducing this sizable disparity in fatalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Winograd
- University of Missouri – St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health
- University of Missouri – St. Louis, Department of Psychological Sciences
| | - Zach Budesa
- University of Missouri – St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health
| | - Devin Banks
- University of Missouri – St. Louis, Department of Psychological Sciences
| | - Ryan Carpenter
- University of Missouri – St. Louis, Department of Psychological Sciences
| | - Claire A. Wood
- University of Missouri – St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health
| | - Alex Duello
- University of Missouri – St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health
| | - Paul Thater
- University of Missouri – St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health
| | - Christine Smith
- Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Behavioral Health
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Budesa Z, Klar M, Datta S, Moore E, Lamsen L. Evaluating first year residents' communication skills: a health literacy curriculum needs assessment. J Commun Healthc 2023; 16:30-37. [PMID: 36919812 DOI: 10.1080/17538068.2022.2026054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High quality communication skills are necessary for competent and ethical practice. When patients present with low health literacy, physicians' skills may be lacking, which can put patients' safety and satisfaction at risk. The authors' developed and executed a simulation-based needs assessment following conflicting internal reports about the communications skills of new residents. METHODS The current study recruited first year residents (N = 30) during the 2019 first post-graduate year (PGY-1) orientation at a southeastern university hospital simulation center. The residents completed an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) which focused on obtaining informed consent from a patient's health care proxy who presented with limited literacy and health literacy and poor communication skills. After completing the OSCE, the residents, simulated patients (SP), and independent observers assessed the residents' performance. RESULTS Residents assessed their performance higher when compared with the ratings from independent observers and patient raters. Residents who spent more time with SPs were given higher ratings by the SPs and independent observers. Finally, residents' ratings of themselves had a positive correlation with their reported confidence, but no correlation between self-confidence and the ratings provided by SPs or observers. CONCLUSION PGY-1 residents demonstrate a continued need for health literacy and informed consent education, despite faculty believing that these skills were covered enough in medical school. These residents also demonstrated limited self-assessment ability or skills below the expectations of health literacy experts. Curriculum changes included improving the focus on health literacy, communication skills, and additional practice opportunities throughout their internship year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach Budesa
- Center for Advanced Medical Simulation, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Melinda Klar
- Center for Advanced Medical Simulation, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Sujata Datta
- Department of Anaesthesia, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Emily Moore
- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Leonard Lamsen
- Center for Advanced Medical Simulation, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee
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