Truth

Ms. Randi Choice

PSY 325: Statistics for the Behavioral & Social Sciences

Mrs. Ami Gates

December 5, 2011

I. Prescription Drug Abuse

A. Introduction:

If consumers were educated on the severe side effects of prescription drugs could it prevent unnecessary addiction, overdosing, or ultimately death? This research project explored the relationship between pharmacy education, perceived and actual knowledge, and professional interactions surrounding dependency and addiction on prescription drugs. Prescription opioid painkillers are considered the most widely abused medications alongside hydrocodone-based products. Extended use of painkillers alters the brain chemicals and we become immune to the initial dosage and return to the doctor seeking higher dosage which in turn ultimately leads to addiction

B. Method:

A 25 question survey was developed and tested by authors. 500 pharmacists who attended 3 continuing education programs participated in the study. Respondents were asked a serious of questions where they rated themselves. The questions consisted of the respondent’s knowledge of addiction, knowledge of physiologic and pharmacologic aspects of brain chemistry as it pertains to addiction, and knowledge of pain management. Descriptive statistics were generated for all questions that respondents answered. Questions were pulled from the National Institute on Drug abuse (http://www.nida.gov).

C. Results:

A Likert-type scale was used to measure the results. Descriptive statistics were generated for all questions. Comparisons between groups were performed using chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann Whitney U tests depending on the number of groups being compared and the chosen dependent variable. There were 454 useable, completed surveys that were comprised of 65% males and 35% females. The...