(1273) Clearing the Air: Pharmacists' Perceptions Before and After a Nicotine Use Disorder Training Program

Objectives: 1. Assess the effectiveness of the Nicotine Use Disorder Certificate program
2. Measure changes in pharmacist's knowledge and confidence levels
3. Identify areas for program improvement, particularly for independent and other community pharmacy sites

Methods: A grant was awarded to support the development of a training program aimed at addressing nicotine use disorders. This initiative was prompted by recent legislative changes within the state, permitting pharmacists to dispense nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) under the guidance of a physician-signed protocol. In collaboration with an independent pharmacy, the research team is partnering to implement the training program and subsequently pilot a clinical service focused on nicotine use disorder management at the pharmacy. This pharmacy serves as a testing ground for the training program, allowing for refinement and improvement based on real-world applications.

Pharmacists from the partnering independent pharmacy volunteered to participate in the training program and subsequent pilot clinical service. They have consented to be part of this study and serve as test trainees for the training program.

Prior to engaging in the training program, participating pharmacists will complete a pre-test survey. This survey is designed to assess their baseline knowledge and comfort levels regarding the topics covered in the training program. Following completion of the training program, participants will be administered a post-test survey to gauge any improvements in knowledge and comfort levels. The surveys are designed to be informative and relevant to the subject matter of nicotine use disorder management.

Before distributing the pre and post-test surveys to the participants, the research team will seek approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the research organization. This ensures that the study adheres to ethical standards and safeguards the rights and privacy of the participants.

Descriptive statistics will be employed to analyze the data collected from the pre and post-test surveys. The insights gained from the data analysis will guide any necessary adjustments and improvements to the training program. This iterative process aims to enhance the effectiveness of the program based on the real-world experiences and feedback of the participating pharmacists.

Once refinements are made, the finalized training program will be made available to other pharmacists working in community settings who express interest in participating. This broader sharing of this program seeks to promote consistent and high-quality care for individuals with nicotine use disorder within the community pharmacy setting.

Results: N/A

Conclusions: N/A