From the Guidelines
Patient attitudes towards opioids are complex and varied, and healthcare providers should prioritize open communication and personalized education to address concerns and misconceptions about opioid therapy. Patient opioid attitudes vary widely and significantly influence pain management outcomes, with many patients worrying about becoming dependent on these medications, even when prescribed appropriately for acute or chronic pain 1. These attitudes are shaped by cultural, religious, and personal beliefs, as well as previous experiences with pain medications and exposure to media coverage about the opioid crisis.
Some key concerns and misconceptions about opioids include:
- Fear of addiction and dependence
- Concerns about side effects such as constipation, nausea, and respiratory depression
- Stigma associated with opioid use
- Unrealistic expectations about opioids completely eliminating pain
- Impaired functioning and impact on daily activities
Healthcare providers should assess these attitudes during initial pain evaluations, as understanding a patient's perspective can help tailor education and treatment approaches 1. The CDC clinical practice guideline for prescribing opioids for pain emphasizes the importance of a multimodal and multidisciplinary approach to pain management, attending to the physical health, behavioral health, long-term services and supports, and expected health outcomes and well-being of each person 1.
By prioritizing open communication and personalized education, healthcare providers can address misconceptions and improve adherence to prescribed regimens, ultimately leading to better pain management outcomes and reduced risks associated with opioid therapy 1. This approach acknowledges that attitudes toward opioids are formed through complex interactions of personal experience, social influences, and medical history, and seeks to provide patient-centered care that meets the unique needs and concerns of each individual.
From the Research
Patient Attitudes Towards Opioids
- There are no direct research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies focus on the attitudes and beliefs of healthcare providers towards prescribing opioids, rather than patient attitudes towards opioids themselves.
Healthcare Provider Attitudes Towards Opioids
- Healthcare providers have expressed concerns about opioid misuse, addiction, and physiological dependence when prescribing opioids for chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Many healthcare providers are reluctant to prescribe opioids due to concerns about patient addiction and regulatory scrutiny 2, 3, 5.
- Some studies have found that younger healthcare providers are more reluctant to prescribe opioids and have less confidence in managing patients with chronic pain 3.
- Healthcare providers who are highly concerned about opioid misuse and addiction are more likely to screen patients for substance use disorder and discontinue prescribing opioids due to aberrant use behaviors 4.
- Awareness of guidelines, such as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guideline, can increase healthcare provider confidence in caring for patients with CNCP 5.
Barriers to Equitable Treatment
- Negative attitudes towards patients who misuse opioids are common among healthcare providers and can serve as a barrier to patients accessing care 6.
- Healthcare providers may rationalize treating patients who misuse opioids differently and perceive barriers to achieving more equitable treatment 6.
- Some healthcare providers express a desire for additional training and resources to reduce bias and improve care for patients who misuse opioids 6.