Opioid Knowledge and Prescribing Habits at a Large Tertiary Care Academic Center

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pain Management
• Public Health

Background:

• Opioids are widely prescribed for pain but carry significant risks, exacerbated by inconsistent prescribing practices.
• The opioid epidemic highlights the need to understand healthcare practitioners' perspectives on opioid prescription.
• Perceptions and practices surrounding opioid prescribing among healthcare professionals remain under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the opinions, experiences, and prescribing habits of healthcare professionals involved in opioid administration.
• To assess current practices in opioid management, education, and risk stratification at an academic medical center.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to various healthcare personnel, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and medical students.
• Responses were collected using a 5-point Likert scale and categorized into prescribing habits, education, and risk stratification domains.
• A total of 638 survey responses were analyzed to identify trends and gaps in opioid management.

Main Results:

• A weak consensus on prescribing practices and suboptimal use of evidence-based opioid management strategies were observed.
• Significant gaps in education regarding opioid prescribing were reported across specialties, with pharmacists having the most training.
• Underutilization of risk stratification tools, such as prescription drug monitoring programs and urine drug testing, was prevalent.

Conclusions:

• Strengthening practitioners' opioid management skills through evidence-based interventions is essential.
• Addressing deficits in prescribing practices, education, and risk stratification can help mitigate the impact of the opioid epidemic.
• Targeted interventions are needed to improve opioid stewardship and patient safety.