A large-scale, online, multiprofessional opioid prescriber training program

Introduction: In response to the opioid crisis, New York State (NYS) mandated training for all licensed professionals authorized to prescribe controlled substances. Content included state and federal requirements for prescribing controlled substances, pain management, appropriate prescribing, managing acute pain, palliative care, prevention, screening and signs of addiction; responses to abuse and addiction; and end-of-life care. Training was required to be completed by 1 July 2017. Objectives: The primary aim of this analysis was to answer the question: Would a large-scale, enduring, online training program administered in an academic environment be feasible?. Methods: An interdisciplinary team from the University at Buffalo developed a 4-hour accredited enduring training program which was launched on 15 March 2017. Pre- and posttests were required, with a score of ≥70% on the posttest set as successful completion of the course. Results: As of 1 July 2017, 31 909 participants had completed Module 1, with 26 511 (83.1%) originating from NYS. For Module 2, 29 450 participants completed the training, with 24 460 (83.1%) originating from NYS. A participant survey found that the overwhelming majority of participants were satisfied with the course. Prescribers (physicians, residents, dentists, nurse practitioners, midwives, and physician assistants) all demonstrated significant improvement for both course modules. Aggregate Module 1 scores improved from (mean ± SD) 79.88 (14.67) at baseline to 93.18 (7.45) postcourse (P <.0001). Aggregate Module 2 scores improved from 67.21 (14.8) to 89.13 (8.09; P <.0001). Conclusions: Our experience demonstrates the feasibility of deploying a credible, enduring, multiprofessional online educational program. The program has been well-accepted, with a demonstration of increased knowledge across disciplines through pre- and posttraining assessment. Further study is needed to address the impact of this training on patterns of opioid prescribing.