Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire Research Articles

Enhancing Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Opioid Use Disorder Among Private Primary Care Clinics: A Quality Improvement Project.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) continues to impact communities worldwide. British Columbia specifically declared a public health emergency in April 2016. It is known that patients with OUD often experience barriers in access to care, including limited knowledge and training among providers, as well as persisting stigma in the medical community. The Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project sought to provide barrier-targeted OUD education while using multiple effective teaching methods, such as test-enhanced learning, to family nurse practitioners (FNPs) working among private primary care clinics to assess the impact on knowledge and attitudes. In review of an experience survey, zero participants had received prior education on OUD (N = 7). The Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire was used to assess attitudes. In review of the data, attitudes before receiving education (Mdn = 74) improved after receiving barrier-targeted education (Mdn = 66), W = 0, p < .05. Knowledge was tested at three time points. After a review of unique identifiers, four participant tests were successfully linked. It was found that knowledge after receiving education (M = 7.75, Mdn = 7.5) improved in comparison with baseline knowledge (M = 6, Mdn = 6) and further improved after a 1-month time frame (M = 8.5, Mdn = 8.5). Although the project was limited by sample size, providing education to FNPs who have not received prior education on OUD, and using modalities such as test-enhanced learning, showed a favorable impact on knowledge and attitudes. In light of the opioid epidemic, nursing leaders must continue to actively engage practicing FNPs and students with OUD education. FNPs are well positioned to be champions in this area and may mobilize teams to overcome barriers among private primary care clinics and increase access to care.

Improving Nurses' Attitudes Toward Substance Use Disorder: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment.

Patients with substance use disorder (SUD) encounter many barriers to healthcare, including negative attitudes of healthcare personnel. Compared with other healthcare professions, nurses have been reported as having less tolerant attitudes toward patients with SUD. Knowledge acquisition combined with role support has been shown to improve therapeutic attitudes of nurses toward patients with SUD. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based educational intervention aimed to improve the outcomes of patients at risk and with SUD. SBIRT education has been shown as an effective educational tool with licensed nurses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether a 2-hour educational session on SBIRT (Mitchell et al., 2013) improved the therapeutic attitudes of nurses toward patients with SUD. Peplau's theory of interpersonal relations guided this study with an emphasis on the nurse-patient relationship. A quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design was used to evaluate nurses' attitudes pre and post a 2-hour educational session. Participants included 65 registered nurses employed in a 247-bed teaching hospital in New England. Attitudes were measured before and after the educational session using the 20-item, five-subscale Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire. A paired t test was performed, showing statistically significant improvements in attitudes postintervention. Prior education on SUD significantly correlated with baseline attitudes. A standard regression model, with practice setting, family history of SUD, and prior education as dependent variables, was not predictive of baseline attitudes. The results suggest conducting SBIRT should be considered a mandatory nursing competency, both in undergraduate curriculum and among licensed nurses.

Unveiling the work satisfaction of resident doctors in treating patients with alcohol or substance use disorders - A comparative study

Introduction. Stigma related to substance use disorders (SUDs) and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is widespread and has significant implications for healthcare inequality. Stigmatization affects every aspect of care for individuals, leading to negative perceptions, limited resources, and reduced treatment outcomes. The negative attitudes of healthcare professionals towards this vulnerable group of patients further contribute to the problem. To address this issue, it is essential to raise awareness, challenge societal perceptions, and enhance support systems. Objectives and methods. This study aims to evaluate the level of work satisfaction among resident doctors when working with patients with substance-related issues, comparing psychiatric residents with those from other specialties. Additionally, it seeks to assess any differences in work satisfaction between patients with alcohol-related problems and those with drug-related problems. Anonymous data was collected through an online questionnaire, including demographic information, specialized training, and family history of substance use. Two validated questionnaires, the Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire (AAPPQ) and the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire (DDPPQ), were used to assess work satisfaction. Results. Both groups of medical residents reported discomfort when working with patients who had alcohol-related issues. However, there was a significant difference in work satisfaction related to alcohol use, with residents from other specialties reporting that is more rewarding to work with this group of patients. Similarly, psychiatry residents felt uncomfortable working with patients who used drugs, while residents from other specialties had a more neutral attitude. In terms of work satisfaction, psychiatry residents believed it was achievable with patients who used alcohol but had neutral responses regarding patients who used drugs. The opposite was observed among residents from other specialties. Conclusion. Stigma surrounding SUDs and AUDs significantly impacts healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. It is crucial to challenge societal perceptions, enhance support systems, and provide high-quality mental health and addiction services. Addressing negative attitudes among healthcare professionals is essential for improving collaboration and treatment outcomes. By promoting awareness, understanding, and a shift towards a public health perspective, the stigma associated with substance use can be reduced, leading to better outcomes for individuals and society as a whole.

Effects of Implementing an Interactive Substance Use Disorders Workshop on a Family Medicine Clerkship.

Substance use disorders (SUD) remain a public health crisis and training has been insufficient to provide the skills necessary to combat this crisis. We aimed to create and study an interactive, destigmatizing, skills-based workshop for medical students to evaluate if this changes students' self-reported knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward patients with SUD. We surveyed students on a required family medicine outpatient rotation at a Pacific Northwest medical school during clerkship orientation on their views regarding SUDs utilizing the validated Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire containing a 7-point Likert scale. After attending a substance use disorder workshop, they repeated the survey. We calculated differences between the paired pre- to postsurveys. We collected the pre- and postdata for 118 students who attended the workshop and showed statistically significant positive differences on all items. The positive change in the medical students' reported attitudes suggests both necessity and feasibility in teaching SUD skills in a destigmatizing way in medical training. Positive changes also suggest a role of exposing students to family medicine and/or primary care as a strategy to learn competent care for patients with substance use disorders.

A Syringe Service Program Within a Federal System: Foundations for Implementation.

Drug use, specifically opioid use, is a public health crisis in the United States. Harm reduction programs, including syringe service programs, show efficacy in improving individual and public health outcomes. Healthcare provider perceptions are an important initial assessment when considering implementing a syringe service program. The objective of this quality improvement project, completed in a Northeastern Veterans Affairs Medical Center (NEVAMC), was to lay the groundwork for implementation of a syringe service program. This multiphase project included an initial needs assessment with stakeholders to determine the scope of substance use disorder within the facility and initiated the change process needed for syringe service program implementation. We administered an online survey, the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire (DDPPQ), to better understand staff perspectives of and comfort in working with people who use drugs. Two educational modules were developed and conducted for staff to increase their knowledge, skills, and trauma-informed practices when working with people who use drugs. Standardized document templates for program implementation in federal systems were also developed. The needs assessment identified 266 patients who could benefit from expanded harm reduction services and a recognition that staff perception be assessed within the facility. The DDPPQ, completed by 153 staff members, indicated positive perceptions of people who use drugs and ability to counsel/treat people who use drugs. The median DDPPQ total score was 73, indicative of an overall positive perception. Sixty-eight staff members attended the initial education session, and 35 attended the second session designed specifically for mental health service line professionals. The findings indicate NEVAMC staff members have a high level of comfort working with people who use drugs. The staff educational programs were well received and have become a part of routine staff training at the NEVAMC. The standardized document templates are available for persons developing a syringe service program within a federal system.

Reprint of: Impact of elective on students’ perceptions of treating patients with a substance use disorder

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of a substance use disorder (SUD) elective curriculum on students’ perceptions of treating patients with SUDs using the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire (DDPPQ). MethodsIn 2017, a third-year pharmacy elective, conceptualizing SUD as a chronic, relapsing brain disease with psychosocial and societal influencers, was introduced. A linked pre- and postcourse assessment using the DDPPQ was carried out for the following categories: role adequacy, role support, job satisfaction, role-related self-esteem, and role legitimacy. ResultsA total of 63 students were enrolled in the elective and 54 paired questionnaires were available for analysis. There was a statistically significant improvement in attitude across all 5 categories of the DDPPQ. ConclusionStudents’ attitudes toward working with patients with SUD improved after completing the elective. This study indicates that teaching student pharmacists about effectively recognizing and treating SUDs may result in more willingness to work with these patients in the future.

Nursing Attitudes Toward Patients With Substance Use Disorders: A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of an Educational Workshop.

Negative healthcare provider attitudes toward patients with substance use disorder (SUD) may adversely impact the quality of care and treatment outcomes. In this article, we aim to characterize the effects of an 8-hour educational workshop on attitudes toward patients with SUD among nurses from an urban inpatient psychiatric hospital. The Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire, a 22-item scale consisting of six subscales, was used to assess nurse attitudes to patients with SUD at pretest (n = 38), posttest (n = 36), and 30-day follow-up (n = 20). Generalized estimating equation models adjusted for gender and years of work experience were used to measure changes in Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire scores. Positive attitudes significantly increased at posttest (β = -12.09, 95%CI [-16.83, -7.34]; p < .001) and were sustained at 30-day follow-up (β = 1.71, 95% CI [-3.11, 6.53]; p = .49). Subscales of motivation (β = -0.26, 95% CI [-0.87, 0.35]; p = .41) and task-specific self-esteem (β = -0.56, 95% CI [-1.44, 0.32]; p = .21) did not significantly change at posttest. Our findings show workshop effectiveness in improving nurse attitudes toward patients with SUD. Future research may test similar interventions at a larger scale and with other health professionals.

Impact of elective on students’ perceptions of treating patients with a substance use disorder

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of a substance use disorder (SUD) elective curriculum on students’ perceptions of treating patients with SUDs using the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire (DDPPQ). MethodsIn 2017, a third-year pharmacy elective, conceptualizing SUD as a chronic, relapsing brain disease with psychosocial and societal influencers, was introduced. A linked pre- and postcourse assessment using the DDPPQ was carried out for the following categories: role adequacy, role support, job satisfaction, role-related self-esteem, and role legitimacy. ResultsA total of 63 students were enrolled in the elective and 54 paired questionnaires were available for analysis. There was a statistically significant improvement in attitude across all 5 categories of the DDPPQ. ConclusionStudents’ attitudes toward working with patients with SUD improved after completing the elective. This study indicates that teaching student pharmacists about effectively recognizing and treating SUDs may result in more willingness to work with these patients in the future.

Educating Students About Opioid Use Disorder and Treatments in the Community Using an Educational Video

A treatment gap exists for people in the community with opioid use disorders (OUDs). Stigma and lack of knowledge of how to access community resources contribute to this gap. One valuable resource that may help fill this gap is nursing students. This study examined the impact of an educational video on prelicensure and postlicensure nursing students' knowledge and attitudes toward people with OUD. A pre-post study design was used to examine whether 406 nursing students' knowledge and attitudes changed after viewing an educational video. Knowledge and attitudes were measured by an online survey, consisting of demographics, an 8-item Knowledge and Attitudes survey, and the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire. The educational video produced a statistically significant positive improvement on nursing students' knowledge and attitudes. Educating nursing students about OUD and treatment options can help reduce stigma and improve care toward people with OUD.

Reducing Opioid Bias is Necessary (ROBIN): An Educational Program to Reduce Addiction Stigma.

Prescription opioid and heroin use and addiction is a local, national, and worldwide epidemic plaguing over 11 million people. Attitudes toward substance use among the general public were highlighted as an area that needs to be further investigated and addressed. The Reducing Opioid Bias is Necessary (ROBIN) educational project was developed and presented to 21 participants as a one-time, 4-hour pretest and posttest design that included theoretical background, short videos, a documentary film, and writings from individuals and community members affected by opioid use disorder (OUD). Participants were assessed on their familiarity, attitudes, and effectiveness of the ROBIN educational program on their perceptions toward persons with OUD. Quantitative data collection included demographic information, level of familiarity, the Attitudes to Mental Illness Questionnaire, and the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire. Qualitative measures included reflective writing and focus group discussion 2 months after the program. Quantitative measures were completed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were sorted for common themes. Spearman's rank rho of 0.947 (p < .05) indicated less familiarity and more bias attitudes toward people with OUD. The paired-sample t test on the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire indicated a significant decrease in participant bias in the posttest (M = 59.33, SD = 16.48) when compared with the pretest (M = 74.86, SD = 19.38), t(20) = 5.17, p = .00002. The qualitative data from the written reflection and focus group indicated strong changes in participants' overall understanding, empathy, and desire for promoting the educational program. The ROBIN program can reduce bias among community and healthcare subjects. Limitations to the study should be addressed in future research on this topic.

Evaluation of training on brief interventions for teachers: health contributions

to evaluate the impact of training on brief interventions for use of substances on the attitudes; and, face validity and internal consistency of Brazilian versions of the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire (DDPPQ-br) and the Short Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire (SAAPPQ) for use among teachers. methodological (N=122) and quasi-experimental study (n=27). A sociodemographic questionnaire, the DDPPQ-br and the SAAPPQ were applied before and three months after the training. For analysis, were applied the Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. the DDPQ-br and SAAPPQ were considered valid by experts. The training improved teachers' attitudes towards accountability on the approach to substance use at schools and on the readiness to perform this role. In relation to drugs, it increased the perception of support. teachers' training can improve their attitudes and strengthen the school in the function of preventing substance-related harm.

Criminal Justice Professionals' Attitudes Toward Mental Illness and Substance Use.

Despite the high prevalence of behavioral health disorders in justice settings and prior research on the importance of attitudes in successful treatment outcomes for behavioral health populations, few studies have examined criminal justice professionals' attitudes toward mental illness and substance use. We conducted a state-wide survey of 610 criminal justice professionals using items adapted from the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire (Albery et al. 2003) to examine attitudes toward mental illness and substance use as a function of criminal justice position and personal contact. For attitudes toward both mental illness and substance use, defense attorneys and community corrections officers reported more positive attitudes relative to jail correctional staff and prosecutors. For attitudes toward substance use, personal contact moderated the effect of position on attitudes. Findings underscore the importance of targeted training and other contact-based interventions to improve criminal justice professionals' attitudes toward behavioral health populations.

Adaptação transcultural e validação do Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire para o contexto brasileiro

Background: The health field has been studying attitudes with the purpose of investigating their relationship with the several practices that are part of their action scope. In nursing, one of those perspectives refers to students’ attitudes about working with alcohol and/or drug users. Objective: To perform the translation and cross-cultural adaptation, to test the internal consistency and construct validity of the scale Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire in a population of Brazilian nursing students. Methodology: Methodological study, with Brazilian nursing students (N = 246) of technical and higher courses. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation were carried out and the principal component analysis and Cronbach’s alpha calculation were conducted. Results: The results were consistent with the organization of the dimensions proposed by the authors of the original version, in spite of the difference in the structure of the items that constitute them. The overall internal consistency was a = 0.85. Conclusion: The instrument was considered cross-culturally adapted and showed good values of construct validity and internal consistency

Attitudes of nursing students towards substance users and perceptions about religious/spiritual care.

To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on the attitudes of Nursing students towards users of psychoactive substances (excluding alcohol and tobacco) and their perceptions about the religious and spiritual care offered within the health services. Quasi-experimental study. We applied a questionnaire before and one month after an intervention about the comprehensive care of substance users, containing: sociodemographic information, knowledge, the Treatment Spirituality/Religiosity Scale, and the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire. For the analyses, we employed the paired Student's t-test and Pearson's Coefficient. 62 students participated in this study. After the intervention, there was improvement in the students' attitudes towards the substance users, but not regarding the perception they already had about the importance of offering religious and spiritual care within the services. We verified the effectiveness of the educational intervention on the improvement of attitudes concerning the care of substance users, yet we point out that the students did not show changes in their perception about the inclusion of the religious and spiritual aspects in the care dedicated to this population.

Effect on Dental Hygiene Students of a Substance Use Simulation Conducted with Nursing Students.

Dental professionals have an opportunity to screen for substance use, provide targeted feedback based on patients' oral health, provide patient education, and refer for further assessment as needed. The aim of this study was to assess the impact on dental hygiene students of an interprofessional Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) educational intervention with standardized patients as a tool for initiating discussions on alcohol and drug use with patients. Starting in 2015, dental hygiene students in two classes at the University of Pittsburgh participated with nursing students in one and a half hours of didactic instruction followed within a ten-week period by SBIRT simulation scenarios utilizing standardized patients, with subsequent debriefing of students by faculty. Students' attitudes were assessed before and after the didactic session and immediately after the SBIRT simulation, using the Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perceptions Questionnaire and the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire. All 67 dental hygiene students in the program at the time participated in the educational intervention and surveys. The results showed significant positive changes in role security, defined as the acceptance of SBIRT delivery as part of their role identity as dental hygienists, following the intervention. This study found that the IPE intervention with dental hygiene and nursing students improved the dental hygiene students' attitudes through using SBIRT.

Attitude towards substance abuse patients: an investigation of tertiary level mental health staff in Benue state Nigeria

Psychoactive substance misuse is a global health problem whose impact appears to be increasing in Africa. A major hindrance to the management of this condition is the lack of willingness of the patients to access and remain in care. The attitude of the health care professional has been found to contribute to this unwillingness. The study aimed to find out attitude of mental health staff members at two tertiary health centres in Benue state, towards substance abuse patients and the factors that influence this attitude. The Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire was administered to nurses, social workers and clinical psychologists working at the psychiatry ward in the two institutions. All 61 administered questionnaires were filled and returned giving a response rate of 100%. However, only 55 were correctly filled giving a completion rate of 90%. Majority of the respondents were below the age of 40 (65.4%), female (60%) and married (78.2%) and had worked for less than 5 years in psychiatry (72.7%). Sixty percent (60%) of the staff had training in the management of substance use problems. Male gender and training in substance use disorder were significantly associated with a positive attitude. Nurses had the most negative attitude while social workers had the most positive attitude. Training in the management of substance use disorder will not only improve skills but also improve the attitude of the health care professional towards substance abuse patients.

Identifying Medical–Surgical Nursing Staff Perceptions of the Drug-Abusing Patient

Nurses report a negative, stereotypical, and moralistic view of substance-abusing patients. Unaddressed bias may impede delivery of quality care. There is limited research of the needs specific to medical-surgical nursing staff interacting with substance-abusing patients. Nursing therapeutic commitment refers to the degree the nurse feels prepared with an adequate knowledge base, professional support, and personal ownership of a patient condition. Low therapeutic commitment correlates with job dissatisfaction. The Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire assesses healthcare provider attitude and therapeutic commitment to patients using or abusing medication or illicit substances. This therapeutic commitment survey serves as a staff needs assessment for a targeted educational innovation. The results show that the medical and surgical nursing staff has a constructive attitude and a moderately high degree of therapeutic commitment to the drug-abusing patient population, similar to more specialized multidisciplinary, mental healthcare workers. This study showed that medical-surgical nurses feel professionally responsible and clinically supported with patients with primary or comorbid drug abuse. Consistent with established results, focused and ongoing education on the risk factors, outcomes, and physical and psychological effects of illicit substances is necessary to improve therapeutic commitment to drug-dependent patients.

A Concurrent Validation Study of the Alcohol and Other Drug Identification (AODI) Scale

ABSTRACT This study measured the concurrent validity of the Alcohol and Other Drug Identification (AODI) scale, a measure of barriers to social workers addressing substance abuse issues with their clients. The scale was administered along with the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire (DDPPQ), a measure of mental health workers' attitudes toward working with substance abusers. A total of 197 graduate social work students and field supervisors participated in a Web-based administration of the scales. Principal components analysis indicated that three subscale factors of the AODI remained, with two items deleted. All subscale factors of the AODI negatively correlated with the DDPPQ, indicating evidence for concurrent validity.

Staff attitudes towards working with drug users: development of the Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire

To evaluate the psychometric properties of an adaptation of the Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perceptions Questionnaire to measure the attitudes of staff to working with drug users (the DDPPQ). Postal survey: a questionnaire was mailed to participants on two occasions. A large urban National Health Service (NHS) mental health service. A stratified random sample of medical staff, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and nurses (n = 672) who work within generic mental health, adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry and alcohol and drug services. Response rate at Time 1 was 56% and 68% at Time 2. A structured demographic questionnaire; individual item and total scores for the DDPPQ administered on two occasions 4 weeks apart; data relating to the content validity of the instrument. A principal component analysis confirmed the DDPPQ's construct validity and participants confirmed its content validity. Following analysis of the instrument's test-retest reliability and its principal component structure it was reduced to a 20-item scale. Its five subscales related to role adequacy, role support, job satisfaction, role-specific self-esteem and role legitimacy. The refined DDPPQ was shown to be a valid and reliable tool which can be used to measure attitudes of people in relation to working with drug users.