Evaluation of an interprofessional active learning session on acute pain and opioid use disorder using the interprofessional collaborative competency attainment scale

ABSTRACT

Pain is complex and best managed using an interprofessional approach. A complicating factor is the high prevalence of co-existing opioid use disorder (OUD). Interprofessional education (IPE) may be an important strategy for transforming pain and OUD care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an interactive, case-based IPE session related to acute pain management in persons with OUD on pre-licensure health science students’ perceived achievement of core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice. Students completed a self-assessment of competency before and after the IPE session, using the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Scale. Paired samples t-tests determined differences between pre- and post-session assessments and Cohen’s d effect sizes evaluated the magnitude of change. Learners (n = 160) included students from pharmacy (30.9%), social work (21.9%), dentistry (16.3%), nursing (14.4%), medicine (9.4%), and other professional schools (7.4%). Learners showed significant improvement in perceived competency for all items (all p ≤ 0.002). Using a Collaborative Patient-Centered Approach and Team Functioning demonstrated the greatest overall improvement (Cohen’s d > 0. 80). Findings suggest that an interactive IPE session is associated with perceived achievement of core interprofessional competencies for acute pain management in persons with OUD.

KEYWORDS:

• Acute pain
• opioid use disorder
• interprofessional education
• core competencies

Declaration of Interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Health [N01DA-15-4424 NIDA/NIH Center of Excellence in Pain Education].

Notes on contributors

Dale J Langford

Dale J Langford PhD is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Washington (UW).  Her research has research focuses on inter-individual variability in the experience of pain and co-occurring symptoms in adults with cancer or chronic non-cancer related pain. She is also involved in studies of student, provider and patient-facing interventions to improve pain management.

Debra B Gordon

Debra B Gordon DNP, RN, FAAN is a Teaching Associate in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and the University of Washington and the Co-Director of the Integrated Pain Care Program at Harborview Medical Center. She is a member of the International Association for Pain (IASP) education workgroup.

John D Loeseer

John D Loeseer MD is a Professor Emeritus of Neurological Surgery. He is recognized as an expert in the surgical treatment of pain and multidisciplinary pain management.  Dr Loeser has been a leader in medical education related to pain

David J Tauben

David J Tauben MD is the Chief of Pain Medicine in the department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Washington as well as a UW Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine. He is the director of medical student education in pain medicine and co-director for the UW’s National Institute of Health’s Center of Excellence in Pain Education (CoEPE).

Ardith Z Doorenbos

Ardith Z Doorenbos PhD, RN, FAAN is a co-director for the UW’s National Institute of Health’s Center of Excellence in Pain Education (CoEPE). Her research is centered on palliative care, pain and symptom management. She is now a Professor in the Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Director of Palliative Care at the University of Illinois Cancer Center.