Novel Elective Course on Substance Use for Pharmacy Students in Jordan

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this report is to describe the development, implementation, feasibility, and evaluation of a novel elective course on substance use for pharmacy students in Jordan. This was part of the Yale-University of Jordan (UJ) Joint Training Program in Addiction Medicine that was launched in 2021 to address the lack of addiction-specific training for health profession students. Methods: The course reflects a 15-week curriculum for fifth-year Doctor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Pharmacy students. Activities include lecture-style presentations from Yale professors, UJ professors, and governmental organization employees, a joint discussion between Yale and UJ students, as well as a site visit to an addiction treatment program in Amman, Jordan. Results: A total of 99 students across 2-course cohorts (53 in 2022 and 46 in 2023) completed a pre- and post-assessment form that assessed knowledge and attitudes. The average knowledge score increased from 17.9 to 21.1 points out of 30. Positive change was seen in students’ attitudes toward harm reduction, the need for free treatment for people who use substances, and the use of nonstigmatizing terminology when working with people who use substances. Moreover, the course got a high quality-assurance average rating of 4.20/5.00 compared with the University average of 3.5/5.0. Conclusion: This course focused on the role of the Jordanian pharmacist in dealing with patients who may use substances and providing them with proper management, setting the stage for other similar courses on substance use for undergraduate pharmacy students.