Joshua Goodwin1, Susan Kirkland1,2. 1. Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 2. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Harms caused by prescription opioid analgesics (POAs) have been identified as a major international public health concern. Recent statistics show rising numbers of opioid-related deaths across Canada. However, Canadian family physicians appear to have inadequate resources to safely and effectively prescribe opioid analgesics to treat chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). METHODS: We completed a qualitative study of the barriers and facilitators to safe and effective prescribing of opioid analgesics for CNCP through semi-structured interviews with eight family physicians in Nova Scotia. Thematic analysis was used to identify the barriers and facilitators. RESULTS: Family physicians identified challenges in prescribing opioid analgesics for CNCP: the complexity of CNCP management, addictions risks and prescribing tools, physician training, the physician-patient relationship, prescription monitoring and control, and systemic factors. CONCLUSION: Family physicians described themselves as inadequately supported in their prescribing of opioid analgesics for CNCP and could benefit from an integrated and coordinated approach to prescriber support.
INTRODUCTION: Harms caused by prescription opioid analgesics (POAs) have been identified as a major international public health concern. Recent statistics show rising numbers of opioid-related deaths across Canada. However, Canadian family physicians appear to have inadequate resources to safely and effectively prescribe opioid analgesics to treat chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). METHODS: We completed a qualitative study of the barriers and facilitators to safe and effective prescribing of opioid analgesics for CNCP through semi-structured interviews with eight family physicians in Nova Scotia. Thematic analysis was used to identify the barriers and facilitators. RESULTS: Family physicians identified challenges in prescribing opioid analgesics for CNCP: the complexity of CNCP management, addictions risks and prescribing tools, physician training, the physician-patient relationship, prescription monitoring and control, and systemic factors. CONCLUSION: Family physicians described themselves as inadequately supported in their prescribing of opioid analgesics for CNCP and could benefit from an integrated and coordinated approach to prescriber support.
Entities:
Keywords:
addiction; chronic pain; family physicians; opioid
Authors: Rani Punwasi; L de Kleijn; J B M Rijkels-Otters; M Veen; Alessandro Chiarotto; Bart Koes Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-02-01 Impact factor: 2.692