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Continuing methadone for pain in palliative care.
Philippa Hawley1, Ryan Liebscher, Jessica Wilford
1Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia. phawley@bccancer.bc.ca
Pain Research & Management
|May 11, 2013
Summary
Family physicians desire to prescribe methadone for palliative care pain relief but face knowledge gaps. Education and authorization processes are seen as manageable, encouraging broader access to this essential analgesic.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care
- Pain Management
- Medical Education
Background:
- Methadone is crucial for refractory pain in palliative care.
- Specialist prescription limits access to methadone for analgesia.
- Lack of authorized physicians hinders patient care continuity.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify barriers family physicians face in obtaining methadone prescribing authorization.
- Assess willingness of family physicians to prescribe methadone for palliative care.
- Understand educational needs for methadone use in palliative care.
Main Methods:
- Survey distributed to 870 family physicians in British Columbia.
- Explored perceived barriers to continuing methadone prescriptions.
- Randomly selected sample for data collection.
Main Results:
- 30.9% response rate (204 physicians).
- 18.6% of respondents were authorized to prescribe methadone.
- 81.4% reported knowledge deficits but expressed willingness to learn and obtain authorization.
Conclusions:
- Family physicians acknowledge educational needs for methadone pain management.
- Physicians are willing to undergo training and authorization.
- The authorization process is perceived as appropriate and not burdensome.
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