Health Care Provider Utilization of Prescription Monitoring Programs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are crucial tools for combating the opioid crisis.
• Understanding healthcare provider utilization and barriers to PDMP data is essential for improving prescribing practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize existing literature on the proportion of healthcare providers accessing and using PDMP data.
• To identify barriers associated with the utilization of PDMP data in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review incorporating meta-analysis and qualitative meta-summary.
• Inclusion of peer-reviewed reports, theses, and dissertations.
• Synthesis of quantitative (use proportions) and qualitative (barriers) study outcomes.

Main Results:

• Fifty-three studies from the United States were included.
• The pooled proportion of healthcare providers who ever used PDMP data was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.48-0.66).
• Common barriers included time constraints, administrative burdens, low perceived value, and system usability issues.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare providers underutilize PDMP data.
• Significant barriers impede the effective use of PDMP data in clinical settings.
• Addressing these barriers is critical to enhance PDMP data's role in patient care and public health.