Correlation between Opioid Prescribing Habits and Patient Satisfaction
Abdo Bachoura1, Jacob Tulipan2, Daren Aita2
1Rothman Orthopaedics, Orlando, FL, USA.
The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
|April 20, 2026
Summary
Patient satisfaction measures did not correlate with opioid prescribing practices among hand surgeons. This study found no significant link between how patients felt and the number or dosage of opioids prescribed.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Pain Management
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Opioid prescribing practices are a significant concern in pain management.
- Patient satisfaction is increasingly recognized as a crucial outcome measure in healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between patient-reported satisfaction and opioid prescribing patterns of hand surgeons.
- To determine if patient perceptions of care align with opioid utilization in hand surgery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of opioid prescriptions from 19 hand surgeons over 12 months.
- Calculation of prescription volume, morphine milligram equivalents (MME), and correlation with patient satisfaction surveys (n=5,089).
Main Results:
- Moderate negative correlations were observed between patient satisfaction metrics (likelihood to recommend, overall service, physician empathy) and opioid prescription volume/MME.
- However, no statistically significant differences were found, indicating a lack of strong association.
Conclusions:
- Patient satisfaction measures, including likelihood to recommend, overall service impression, and physician empathy, do not significantly correlate with opioid prescribing practices in hand surgery.
- Findings suggest that patient-reported outcomes may not be directly influenced by the quantity or dosage of opioids prescribed by hand surgeons.
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