Development of a survey to assess the impact of substance use disorder education on student pharmacists' perspective

Abstract

IntroductionThe objective of this manuscript is to outline the process involved in the development and validation of a survey that is optimal for assessing the impact of a substance use disorder (SUD) elective course. MethodsFace validation was performed once the initial survey was developed. Additionally, field validation was performed by surveying a small population of pharmacy students enrolled in the elective course. Non-parametric chi-square test and factor analysis were performed to analyze survey results and measure survey validity, while Cronbach alpha (CA) was performed to measure reliability. ResultsStudent survey responses showed a significance of P < .05 using one sample chi-square test for statements 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 15. Factor analysis identified five factors; however, only three factors were identified as having good correlation. Factor 1 related to students' beliefs about patients with SUD, factor 2 related to attitudes about patients with SUD, and factor 3 related to beliefs about SUD. Factors 1, 2, and 3 have a calculated CA > 0.7, indicating strong internal consistency and reliability. ConclusionsSome of the original statements loaded as expected and assessed the impact of the course in shaping students' beliefs and attitudes regarding SUD. However, some statements did not load as expected, and the survey was modified in order to better assess the desired endpoints.