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Technology-Driven Decision Support for Opioid Tapering: A Scoping Review
Laurits Valberg Hemmingsen1,2, Lærke Karner Overgaard2,3, Uffe Kock Wiil1
1SDU Health Informatics and Technology, The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
|July 24, 2026
Summary
Few digital tools exist to aid general practitioners in opioid tapering. This review found four systems, but evidence on their effectiveness and real-world use is limited, indicating a need for more research and development.
Area of Science:
- Digital health interventions
- Clinical decision support systems
- Opioid pharmacotherapy
Background:
- General practitioners manage most opioid tapering, a complex process requiring individualized planning.
- Clinicians need effective tools to support patient-centered opioid tapering.
- This review examines international digital decision support systems for opioid tapering.
Conclusions:
- Few studies have investigated technology-driven decision support for opioid tapering, with only one in a European context.
- Existing tools show promise but lack robust evidence for effectiveness and implementation.
- Further development and evaluation of digital decision support for opioid tapering are needed.
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