Simani M. Price; Amie C. O’Donoghue; Lou Rizzo; Saloni Sapru; Kathryn J. Aikin
Corresponding Author: Simani M. Price; Westat, Inc. Email: simaniprice@westat.com
Section: Brief Report
Publication Date: July 23, 2021
Background. Lack of training among healthcare providers (HCPs) to safely prescribe opioids is a contributing factor to the opioid crisis. Training and other resources have been developed to educate providers about safe and appropriate opioid prescribing practices. Method. The national survey was conducted with 2,000 HCPs representing primary care physicians (PCPs) (includes, family practice, general practice and internal medicine), specialists (SPs) and physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) (mix of primary care and specialists) and examined exposure to opioid educational information and opioid prescribing. Results. PCPs reported prescribing opioids for chronic pain to significantly more patients compared to other HCP groups. PCPs (89.8%) and NPs (85.5%) reported significantly greater exposure to opioid educational information compared to both SPs (71.9%) and PAs (78.8%). Overall, HCPs had limited knowledge about abuse deterrent formulations, but PCPs had greater knowledge compared to other groups. HCPs had an increased likelihood of prescribing opioids to fewer patients in the last 3-months relative to prior 12-months if they worked in a state or county clinic (versus a solo or group practice type) (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.97; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12 to 3.49) and were exposed to more opioid educational information during the last 12-months (AOR= 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.32). Discussion. HCPs’ exposure to opioid educational information was associated with less opioid prescribing for chronic pain. Findings indicated difference in exposure and knowledge gaps across provider groups. More information is needed on the content of opioid educational information provided to HCPs.