Dinorah Martinez Tyson1, Melody N Chavez2, Paige Lake2, Ana Gutierrez2, Peggie Sherry3, Khary K Rigg4, Victoria K Marshall5, Heather Henderson6, Barbara Lubrano di Ciccone7, Sahana Rajasekhara7, Smitha Pabbathi7. 1. College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL, 33612-3805, USA. dmtyson@usf.edu. 2. College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL, 33612-3805, USA. 3. Faces of Courage, 10006 Cross Creek Blvd #519, Tampa, FL, 33647-2595, USA. 4. Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612-3805, USA. 5. College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12912 USF Health Dr., Tampa, FL, 33612, USA. 6. Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. SOC 107, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA. 7. Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Prescription opioid medication can be of great benefit for cancer patients and survivors who suffer from cancer-related pain throughout their cancer care trajectory. However, the current opioid epidemic has influenced how such medications are perceived. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of opioid use and misuse in cancer survivorship within the context of the opioid epidemic. METHODS: pt?>A qualitative study using a semi-structured interview was conducted with a purposive sample of health care professionals (n = 24), community-level stakeholders (n = 6), and cancer survivors (n = 25) using applied thematic analysis techniques. RESULTS: Crosscutting themes include (1) fear of addiction and living with poorly managed pain, (2) the importance of good patient/provider communication and the need for education around the use/handling/disposal of prescription opioid medication, (3) preference for nonopioid alternatives for pain management, (4) cancer survivors perceived to be low risk for developing opioid use disorder (include inconsistent screening), and (5) impact of policies aimed at curbing the opioid epidemic on cancer survivors. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates the intersecting and sometimes conflicting assumptions surrounding the use of opioids analgesics in the management of cancer pain among survivors embedded within the national discourse of the opioid epidemic. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: A system of integrated cancer care using psychosocial screening, opioid risk mitigation tools, opioid treatment agreements, and specialist expertise that cancer care providers can rely on to monitor POM use in conjunction with patient-centered communication to empower patients informed decision making in managing their cancer pain could address this critical gap in survivorship care.
PURPOSE: Prescription opioid medication can be of great benefit for cancer patients and survivors who suffer from cancer-related pain throughout their cancer care trajectory. However, the current opioid epidemic has influenced how such medications are perceived. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of opioid use and misuse in cancer survivorship within the context of the opioid epidemic. METHODS: pt?>A qualitative study using a semi-structured interview was conducted with a purposive sample of health care professionals (n = 24), community-level stakeholders (n = 6), and cancer survivors (n = 25) using applied thematic analysis techniques. RESULTS: Crosscutting themes include (1) fear of addiction and living with poorly managed pain, (2) the importance of good patient/provider communication and the need for education around the use/handling/disposal of prescription opioid medication, (3) preference for nonopioid alternatives for pain management, (4) cancer survivors perceived to be low risk for developing opioid use disorder (include inconsistent screening), and (5) impact of policies aimed at curbing the opioid epidemic on cancer survivors. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates the intersecting and sometimes conflicting assumptions surrounding the use of opioids analgesics in the management of cancer pain among survivors embedded within the national discourse of the opioid epidemic. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: A system of integrated cancer care using psychosocial screening, opioid risk mitigation tools, opioid treatment agreements, and specialist expertise that cancer care providers can rely on to monitor POM use in conjunction with patient-centered communication to empower patients informed decision making in managing their cancer pain could address this critical gap in survivorship care.
Authors: Sandra E Ward; Nancy Goldberg; Vickie Miller-McCauley; Carol Mueller; Ann Nolan; Darlene Pawlik-Plank; Alice Robbins; Doris Stormoen; David E Weissman Journal: Pain Date: 1993-03 Impact factor: 6.961
Authors: Wendy H Oldenmenger; Peter A E Sillevis Smitt; Silvia van Dooren; Gerrit Stoter; Carin C D van der Rijt Journal: Eur J Cancer Date: 2009-02-07 Impact factor: 9.162