Opioids and the Workplace Prevention and Response Train-the-Trainer and Leadership Training Mixed Methods Follow-up Evaluation

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of a national summer 2020 ‘Opioids and the Workplace’ Prevention and Response (OWPR) Train-the-Trainer (TTT) and Leadership training tool and program at 6-month follow-up. The TTT program goal is to help instructors plan and conduct education and training on opioids and the workplace awareness. The Leadership program goal is to help trainees, who are in a position to take organizational level actions, implement policies, and programs related to opioid and substance use and injury prevention. METHODS: Trainees were from various backgrounds, such as labor unions, academic consortiums, health and safety professionals, government, and community organizations. About 6 months following each individual course date a follow-up survey was sent to each available participants’ e-mail (n = 53 TTT, n = 28 Leadership) with a response rate of 47.2% for the TTT (n = 25) and 63.2% for Leadership (n = 12). Trainees were asked about individual or workplace level actions taken; any obstacles that prevented them or their coworkers from being involved in or conducting activities; if the OWPR training tool was used in their workplace for a training program; and whether the pandemic impacted their ability to address opioids in the workplace. RESULTS: Among TTT trainees, about half of follow-up survey respondents from the 2020 training reported planning and conducting training and education, reaching out to coworkers to see how they are doing, sharing factsheets and information from the opioid training with coworkers, and re-focusing on self-care. Among Leadership trainees, about two-fifths of follow-up survey respondents from the 2020 training reported sharing factsheets and information from the opioid training. Some trainees described the COVID-19 pandemic as limiting their ability to take actions in addressing opioids and the workplace. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence supports that the ‘Opioids and the Workplace’ Train-the-Trainer program and materials have contributed to helping trainees plan and conduct opioids awareness training at their organizations. Evidence supports that the Opioids in the Workplace Leadership program helped contribute to trainees taking workplace level actions to implement policies and programs.