BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to identify predictors of the prescription of strong opioids, which are important for the management of severe cancer pain, by Korean physicians. METHODS: A questionnaire based on a hypothetical case designed to assess the prescription of morphine by physicians was administered to 800 specialists in the Korea Cancer Association, of whom 147 (18.4%) responded, and to 2200 specialists in the Korean Academy of Family Medicine, of whom 388 (17.6%) responded. We used a multidimensional approach to identify the predictors of prescription of morphine by physicians. RESULTS: In the hypothetical case scenario, only 16.5% of the respondents stated that they would prescribe morphine for severe cancer pain. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that physicians with a positive attitude regarding opioid addiction [odds ratio (OR) 2.62; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54-4.46], experience of pain assessment (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.13-3.87), recent residency training (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.30-4.0) and positive self-evaluation as an oncology specialist (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.41-4.78) were more likely to prescribe morphine. None of the 13 variables in the knowledge dimension significantly predicted prescription of morphine for severe cancer pain. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the survey suggest that we need to develop strategies to develop a positive attitude toward opioids, to increase experience in pain assessment and to improve cancer pain management training among Korean physicians.
BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to identify predictors of the prescription of strong opioids, which are important for the management of severe cancer pain, by Korean physicians. METHODS: A questionnaire based on a hypothetical case designed to assess the prescription of morphine by physicians was administered to 800 specialists in the Korea Cancer Association, of whom 147 (18.4%) responded, and to 2200 specialists in the Korean Academy of Family Medicine, of whom 388 (17.6%) responded. We used a multidimensional approach to identify the predictors of prescription of morphine by physicians. RESULTS: In the hypothetical case scenario, only 16.5% of the respondents stated that they would prescribe morphine for severe cancer pain. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that physicians with a positive attitude regarding opioid addiction [odds ratio (OR) 2.62; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54-4.46], experience of pain assessment (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.13-3.87), recent residency training (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.30-4.0) and positive self-evaluation as an oncology specialist (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.41-4.78) were more likely to prescribe morphine. None of the 13 variables in the knowledge dimension significantly predicted prescription of morphine for severe cancer pain. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the survey suggest that we need to develop strategies to develop a positive attitude toward opioids, to increase experience in pain assessment and to improve cancer pain management training among Korean physicians.
Authors: Hye-Suk Han; Ki Hyeong Lee; Kyung Hee Lee; Jeong Seon Ryu; Young Chul Kim; Seung Woo Park; Ho-Suk Oh; Kyung Tae Park; Jung Hye Kwon; Pyung Bok Lee; Won Sik Lee; Yang Soo Kim; Joong Bae Ahn; Seong Woo Jeon; Sung Yong Lee; Young Mi Seol; Jung Hun Kang; Young Jin Yuh; So Yeon Oh; Suk Ran Kim; Jin Seok Ahn Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2013-11-08 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Yong-Chul Kim; Jin Seok Ahn; Maria Minerva P Calimag; Ta Chung Chao; Kok Yuen Ho; Lye Mun Tho; Zhong-Jun Xia; Lois Ward; Hanlim Moon; Abhishek Bhagat Journal: Cancer Med Date: 2015-04-27 Impact factor: 4.452