Public perception on opioids & pain management after major surgery

In the US, opioids are overprescribed after surgery contributing to the opioid epidemic. Patients' expectations regarding postoperative opioids remains unclear.

A representative survey using random-digit dial telephone sampling of English-speaking adults in US was conducted from August 28 to December 11, 2019.

Of the 1533 eligible persons contacted, 1000 completed the interviews yielding a cooperation rate of 65%. The mean age was 47 (±18) years, half were men, and most were non-Hispanic white (73%). Forty-eight percent expected an opioid prescription after major surgery, 50% worry about addiction, and 61% believe they contribute to the opioid epidemic. Interestingly, 31% assume that opioid-dependent users were first exposed to opioids following surgery.

Many Americans surveyed expect to receive an opioid containing pain medication after major surgery, but fear the risk of addiction and believe that they are contributing to the opioid epidemic. They do not think that opioid-dependent users were first exposed to opioids after surgery. This discordance may represent an area of policy action and education.