The Role of Informatics in Implementing Guidelines for Chronic Opioid Therapy Risk Assessment in Primary Care: A...

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Public Health
• Pain Management

Background:

• Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects 2 million Americans, often co-occurring with chronic pain.
• Prescription opioid misuse for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) increases OUD and overdose risks.
• The economic impact of chronic pain and opioid misuse is substantial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine risk assessment and harm reduction for OUD in primary care.
• To identify knowledge gaps and unmet needs related to opioid prescribing.
• To explore the role of informatics interventions in addressing these challenges.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of socio-technical factors influencing guideline adherence.
• Analysis of barriers to implementing CDC opioid prescribing guidelines.
• Identification of informatics-driven solutions for risk assessment and harm reduction.

Main Results:

• Provider, patient, and practice-specific factors impede adherence to CDC guidelines.
• Significant knowledge gaps and unmet needs exist in managing OUD and chronic pain.
• Informatics interventions show potential for mediating adherence barriers.

Conclusions:

• Primary care providers (PCPs) face challenges in adhering to opioid prescribing guidelines.
• Informatics can play a crucial role in improving patient outcomes and reducing opioid-related harm.
• Further research is needed to develop and implement effective informatics interventions.