Survey - Opiod Awareness

SURVEY OF WI PHYSICIANS SHOWS LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT OPIOIDS

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI

Opioid analgesics are the drugs of choice for the treatment of moderate to severe acute and cancer pain. Although their role in the management of chronic pain not related to cancer is controversial, there is increasing evidence for their benefit in certain patient populations.

Previous studies have shown that physicians hold many misconceptions about these drugs and about the laws and regulations that govern their use. Furthermore, the increase in the abuse of these medicines has added to the uncertainty about the appropriateness of using them for the treatment of chronic pain.

A 32-item survey to assess Wisconsin physicians' knowledge and attitudes toward opioid analgesic use was mailed to 600 randomly selected licensed physicians. The response rate was 37%. Half of
the respondents considered diversion a moderate or severe problem in Wisconsin. A majority considered addiction to be a combination of physiological and behavioral characteristics, rather than defining it solely as a behavioral syndrome. Most physicians felt it lawful and acceptable medical practice to prescribe opioids for chronic cancer pain, but only half held this view if the pain was not related to cancer.

Fewer physicians believed it lawful and generally accepted medical practice if the patient had a history of substance abuse. About two-thirds of physicians were not concerned about being investigated for their opioid prescribing practices, but some admitted that fear of investigation led them to lower the dose prescribed, limit the number of refills, or prescribe a Schedule III or IV rather than a Schedule II opioid. Wisconsin physicians who responded to this survey held many misconceptions about the prescribing of opioids. Such views coupled with a lack of knowledge about laws and regulations governing the prescribing of controlled substances may result in inadequate prescribing of these drugs with resultant inadequate management of pain.

Abstract 996, Journal of Pain, vol. 7, number 4, supp 2, April 2006
http://www.aacpi.wisc.edu/