title: Randomized controlled trial of a computerized opioid overdose education intervention.
abstract: Opioid overdose (OD) has become a significant public health problem in need of effective interventions. The majority of existing educational interventions target provision of naloxone and are conducted in-person; these elements present logistical barriers that may limit wide-spread implementation. This study developed and evaluated an easily disseminated opioid OD educational intervention and compared computerized versus pamphlet delivery METHODS: Participants (N=76) undergoing opioid detoxification were randomly assigned to receive OD education via a Pamphlet (N=25), Computer (N=24), or Computer+Mastery (N=27) with identical content for all delivery modalities. Primary outcomes were changes from pre- to post-intervention in knowledge of opioid effects, opioid OD symptoms, and recommended opioid OD responses, as well as intervention acceptability. Also assessed at 1 and 3-month follow-ups were retention of knowledge and change in reported OD risk behaviors.
  
  
  
  Knowledge increased following all three intervention-delivery modalities with few between-group differences observed in knowledge gain or acceptability ratings. Largest gains were in the domain of opioid OD response (from 41.8% to 73.8% mean correct responses; p<0.001). Knowledge was well sustained at the 1 and 3-month follow-ups among completers, where a significant reduction was seen in the critical behavioral risk factor of using opioids while alone.
  
  
  
  Opioid overdose education delivered by computer or written pamphlet produced sustained increases in knowledge and reduction in a key behavioral risk factor.
  
  
  
  Results support further evaluation of this educational intervention that can be used alone or to complement naloxone-training programs.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United States. Electronic address: kdunn9@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Kelly E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United States.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yepez-Laubach
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United States.
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Nuzzo
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Departments of Medicine, United States.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fingerhood
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Departments of Medicine, United States.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Departments of Medicine, United States.
authors.forename: Suzan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United States.
authors.forename: George E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Bigelow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009270:Naloxone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone
keywords: Naloxone; Opioid; Opioid use disorder; Overdose; mHealth