title: Theoretical exploration of Tennessee community pharmacists' perceptions regarding opioid pain reliever abuse communication.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Community pharmacists are a key intervention point in efforts to prevent and mitigate the impact of prescription drug abuse and misuse (PDA/M); yet pharmacists' perceptions regarding PDA/M have been explored only briefly in the literature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  1) To explore Tennessee community pharmacists' perceptions regarding opioid pain reliever (OPR) prescribing, dispensing and abuse; 2) to explore community pharmacists' self-efficacy beliefs regarding PDA/M-specific communication; and 3) to evaluate perceived barriers to engaging patients in PDA/M-specific communication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 55-item survey instrument was developed using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TpB) as a theoretical framework. Questionnaires were mailed to a stratified sample of 2000 licensed Tennessee pharmacists using the Tailored Design Method of survey administration during October and November, 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A response rate of 40% was obtained. A majority of pharmacists (87.5%) perceived OPR abuse to be a problem in their practice settings. On average, a little more than half (53%) of prescriptions issued for OPRs were estimated to be for patients with one or more legitimate medical reasons justifying the medication(s). A small fraction of pharmacists (13%) reported having addiction treatment facility information in their practice settings, and only a small percent reported strong self-efficacy beliefs regarding PDA/M patient communication. Job-related time constraints were perceived as the primary barrier to engaging in PDA/M communication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Community pharmacists in Tennessee are aware of PDA/M by patients receiving opioid prescriptions and value their role in communicating with these patients but indicate their ability to do so effectively is hindered by a lack of confidence, training, and time. Further research to identify and test methods for facilitating PDA/M communication by pharmacists is indicated.
authors: Department of Pharmacy Practice, East Tennessee State University Gatton College of Pharmacy, Box 70657, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA. Electronic address: hagemeier@etsu.edu.
authors: Nicholas E
authors: NE
authors: Hagemeier
authors: Purdue University College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
authors: Matthew M
authors: MM
authors: Murawski
authors: East Tennessee State University Gatton College of Pharmacy, Johnson City, TN, USA.
authors: Nicolas C
authors: NC
authors: Lopez
authors: East Tennessee State University College of Public Health, Johnson City, TN, USA.
authors: Arsham
authors: A
authors: Alamian
authors: East Tennessee State University College of Public Health, Johnson City, TN, USA.
authors: Robert P
authors: RP
authors: Pack
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013714:Tennessee
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid
keywords: Communication; Community pharmacy; Opioid pain reliever; Pharmacists; Prescription drug abuse